Infrastructure minister confident department has funds for new Housing Agency

Michelle Haywood has confirmed plans for an arms-length association have been scrapped

The infrastructure minister says she's confident her department has the skills and funds to launch a government-led Housing Agency.

Delivering a statement in Tynwald, Michelle Haywood said the Department of Infrastructure had been reviewing the Altair Report, which recommended the creation of an independent Housing Association.

However, she raised a number of concerns about the report’s recommendations, and instead plans to refocus efforts on affordable housing delivery with the new in-house agency and phased reforms.

Dr Haywood says she wants to explore previous proposals from her department: