The housing needs of the offshore islands are being surveyed because they are seen as “the main challenges facing the island communities,” according to the Irish Islands Federation, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann.
As Afloat reported in July, the survey is being done in an online survey in conjunction with a research team from University College Cork and Comhar na Oileán CTR.
The need for the survey was identified as part of Comhdháil’s strategy work. It will determine the level of housing needed on the islands.
“An inventory of island housing will be compiled in addition to identifying the housing needs of islands among current island residents and those presently lacking suitable housing options,” according to Comdháil. “This will inform the new national Islands Policy as well as i forums held to discuss the future of Irish and European islands.”
“The lack of suitable affordable housing on offshore islands is the major block to the ultimate sustainability of Ireland’s islands,” says Acting Chair of Comhdháil Máirtín
O Méalóid.
“It's crucial to the sustainability of island communities,” said Comhdháil board member John Walsh, who lives on Bere Island in West Cork. “All offshore islands have their own characteristics and challenges, but housing is something that we all struggle with one way or another.”
The Islands Federation will use the results to identify challenges and possible solutions and use them in communication with different local, regional, and national stakeholders. The survey is for everyone currently living on an island, owning a property on an offshore island, or thinking about moving to an island.
“Even though we have an idea what the needs are, it’s important for us to have quantitative, representative data so that we can work towards solutions and communicate more effectively,” said Comhdháil secretary Rhoda Twombly. “We also want to capture views of people who would like to move to an island. We know anecdotally that there’s latent demand there, but it’s always better to have numbers to back up solutions. The housing crisis in Ireland and the increase in remote working opportunities create both opportunities and challenges for rural communities. Islands are also popular tourist destinations which tend to heat up the home markets and increase property prices. But how big is the housing crisis on offshore islands? That’s what the study intends to find out.”