The lack of houses for permanent occupation on Mull and Iona has long been an issue, and is cited as the biggest challenge at every community consultation regarding the future sustainability of our islands. MICT has been at the forefront of researching, understanding and advocating for the delivery and retention of homes, particularly in the affordable sector, for many years.
If you are in housing need, please in the first instance, register with HomeArgyll, our local social housing register, used by all housing associations who cover Mull, Iona and Ulva. The website also provides direct contact details for each housing association, for specific enquiries.
Delivering Affordable Rental Homes
Ulva Ferry Housing, Phase 1
We delivered the first long-term, affordable rental homes in decades at Ulva Ferry in 2017, building two passive house standard family homes, which have had a significant positive impact on the sustainability of this fragile community, as well as being very energy efficient.
Ulva Ferry Housing, Phase 2
Following the completion of Phase 1, we quickly embarked on a second phase of building, delivering four more affordable rental homes in 2021, this time using modular construction methods. Designed and built by The Wee House Company, these homes are also energy efficient and built using sustainable materials.
Pennyghael Schoolhouse
In 2021 we purchased Pennyghael Schoolhouse to add to our rental portfolio. We undertook extensive renovation of this Victorian property, including installing a more energy efficient air source heating system.
Housing Management
MICT is a registered private landlord and all properties are let with a Private Residential Tenancy; rent levels are in line with local social housing and are economical for tenants to heat. MICT carries out all its own management, overseen by a Steering Group comprising MICT Directors and community members, and with support from West Highland Housing Association.
Continuing Our Plans
Thanks to two years’ funding from Nationwide Community Grants, our Housing Development Manager, Helen MacDonald, is now able to progress wider projects across Mull and Iona.
These plans include:
- Undertaking a Keyworker Accommodation Study to better understand the impact of a lack of housing and accommodation on our local economy
- Making use of our designation as a Rural Housing Body, which enables MICT to apply Rural Housing Burdens to properties, ensuring they remain affordable long-term and placing conditions on owners that they must be lived in as their permanent home
- Encouraging owners of long-term empty properties to bring them back into permanent occupation
- Exploring opportunities for new croft creation
- Working with private landowners to support their affordable housing delivery aspirations, such as Glengorm
- Contributing to Scottish Government, Council and national agency consultations on all aspects of housing policy from controls on short-term lets and second homes, to new planning legislation
We are always happy to hear from anyone interested in supporting us to increase the number of homes available on our islands, working with our partners and funders to discuss potential solutions. Please contact Helen MacDonald on 01680 812 912, or email hmacdonald@mict.co.uk.
