Douglas Councillor urging social housing tenants to fill out income eligibility consultation

Peter Washington says current proposals could be 'disastrous' for future renters

A Douglas Councillor is urging all social housing tenants to fill out a government consultation which would change the income eligibility thresholds for current contracts. 

Chair of the local authority's housing committee, Peter Washington, says the government's current proposals could have a 'disastrous' effect on people who are retired and those looking to join waitlists in the future. 

The consultation closes on 19 May and also covers removing certain 'priority' points that don't reflect housing need and introducing 'discretion' for local housing authorities.

Councillor Washington says the consultation has been rushed and should've been six months instead of six weeks. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him: