Council stock benefits from sale of 17 old houses

Douglas Council announced plans to sell seventeen older, unoccupied council homes to private buyers as a way to fund future social housing projects. The move involves half of its 35 properties on Marathon Road and Falcon Cliff Terrace, which require substantial renovation, being sold individually to prevent bulk purchases by developers. The remaining homes will be sold as they become vacant.

Funds raised from these sales will be directed toward creating new housing for tenants, including a proposed development of a residential block in the city center.

Council leader Devon Watson emphasized that this strategy benefits both the council and the local housing market, calling it a "win-win" situation. He noted that the first six houses are expected to go on the market in the upcoming weeks.

'Prioritizing Tenants'

Watson highlighted the pressing need for social housing, with roughly 250 people currently on the waiting list. He explained that selling the older homes would allow the council to invest in building new social housing, rather than holding properties it cannot effectively renovate.

"The most practical and efficient solution is to collaborate with the private sector and sell some vacant homes. It's a win-win scenario," Watson said. "Tenants come first if this plan does not serve them, it fails its purpose."

An expression of interest for the proposed city-center housing block is expected to be announced shortly.

Long-Term Strategy

Peter Washington, chair of the councils Housing and Property Committee, added that refurbishing each aging property individually would be highly disruptive, requiring tenants to vacate for extended periods. He stressed that investing in new homes is a more sustainable approach.

"This is a long-term initiative, and tenants can remain in their current homes. If a property eventually becomes beyond repair, we will ensure suitable alternatives are provided, with full support from our housing team," Washington said.

Author: Grace Ellison