Housing Market Position Statement

The Isle of Wight Council is committed to ensuring that Island people have access to affordable, good quality accommodation. This is not without challenges and the lack of housing supply is problematic for local people.​

The purpose of this position statement is to provide information on current demand and capacity for housing on the Isle of Wight. In addition, this position statement can form a starting point for conversations about what future solutions could look like.

The Island’s Housing market faces unique supply and demand challenges, which has resulted in a lack of truly affordable accommodation for Island residents. ​

For people looking to step on to the property ladder and buy their own home, to people who are looking for rental accommodation and for people who are in need of help to find accommodation due to their circumstances the lack of viable options continues to be an issue. ​

The Island’s Housing Register (HomeFinder) currently has around 2,600 households awaiting alternative accommodation. Aligned with this need and in addition there are approximately 220 households who are homeless in emergency accommodation.​

The purpose of this position statement is to provide investors, developers and those with surplus accommodation with information to help shape their decision making, to maximise the use of existing and new housing stock and to develop a meaningful range of housing options on the Isle of Wight.

In May 2022 the council published the Local Housing Needs Assessment (PDF, 3MB) which provides information in relation to current housing market and need. 

In 2023 the Council commissioned the Island Housing Affordability Study which provides information in relation to both rental and ownership levels of demand. The information from the Island Housing Affordability Study follows in this position statement.

Both studies have been used to provide the data in relation to the demand contained within this statement together with data held by our internal Housing services.

Affordability of rented accommodation on the Isle of Wight by rental size and area.

Affordability of properties to buy on the Isle of Wight by property size and area.

Support and advice available from the Local planning authority.

Isle of Wight Council Land Residential opportunity property disposals and models we encourage.

The Island HomeFinder system, our local Housing Register, provides data relating to the needs of local households that are looking for affordable housing.