Calls for Continued Investment in Social Housing for Future Generations
Continued investment in the social housing sector in Wales is essential to help to build new homes to meet increasing demand, as well as supporting a significant decarbonisation programme to make homes more energy efficient.
These were some of the main messages highlighted during a session arranged by four north Wales social housing associations on the Eisteddfod Maes in Wrexham on Thursday, 7 August.
On the panel were Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra; Mel Evans, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin; Alun Edwards, Property Manager at ClwydAlyn; Siân Gwenllian, MS for Arfon; Steffan Evans from the Bevan Foundation and Dr Edward Thomas Jones, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Bangor University.
The discussion included calls for a streamlined planning process to make it easier and quicker to develop new homes; more funding to implement the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standards programme and the wider impact of the housing sector on the well-being of tenants and communities, as well as the wider economy.
“It’s widely recognised that Wales is in the grip of a housing crisis, with increasing demand for affordable and open market homes. It’s an absolute fundamental human right for people to have a home that is safe and affordable. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, but by working together, we can make an impact.
“There is a clear will within the social housing sector to make a real difference and to play out part, but to do that we need continued investment from Welsh Government, as well as looking at our own borrowing processes.
“Welsh Government has set a target for 20,000 new low carbon homes to rent by 2026 and housing associations have a role to play in helping to meet that target. But new developments bring their own challenges around the need to identify land for development and dealing with complex planning processes and procedures. We need to see simpler processes which would result in housing associations and developers being able to move at a quicker pace."
“We also have significant challenges around ambitious plans to decarbonise our current housing stock, including meeting the challenges of implementing the Welsh Housing Quality Standards 2023. These Standards would help make our homes more energy efficient, but there are major questions over the funding of the programme. All social housing providers have submitted their investment plans to Welsh Government for consideration, but funding these improvements is likely to be a significant and real challenge”.
"Whilst all housing associations have their programme of investment in their current properties and new homes, there are also wider benefits to our local communities. We firmly believe in supporting the north Wales economy and keeping the pound local. This has wider benefits, not only to the economy but to wider communities by creating jobs locally and supporting Welsh language and culture within our communities”.