29 November 2007
Vulnerable people across Wales need better access to affordable housing. With housing issues being a matter of increasing concern for local government, the Welsh Local Government Association and Community Housing Cymru, during its second joint annual conference to look at the real housing issues for Wales and debate whether the Assembly Government has its priorities in the right place.
Over 200 leading housing figures from local and national government and partners across the voluntary and private sectors in Wales have gathered in Cardiff today to discuss the biggest challenges facing housing in Wales; from affordable housing and effective housing delivery to homelessness and the rural challenge.
Opening the conference Cllr Derek Vaughan (Neath Port Talbot) WLGA Leader said:
“The lack of affordable housing to rent and to buy is a matter of great concern across Wales. More than 80,000 people are on waiting lists for social housing and this figure is rising. 15 out of the 22 councils in Wales do not have sufficient housing supply. Net in-migration, house building rates that lag behind household growth, limited Social Housing Grant (SHG) investment and an average house price ratio in Wales compared to earnings standing at over 6:1, have all combined to place significant pressure on the supply of affordable housing. In addition, access to social housing is increasingly difficult as the ‘right to buy’ has reduced local authority stock by 44% since 1980.”
“We recognise the additional £30m investment that has been made recently at a national level to tackle the issue of affordable housing. It is a positive sign that the new Coalition Government is responding to the needs of Welsh communities. However, in real terms, given the dearth of affordable homes across Wales, this figure is an unrealistic amount. It will fund approx 120 additional social houses per year and will not be enough to enable councils to meet the targets set by the Assembly Government, particularly in light of the inadequacy of the recent draft Assembly Budget.”
“We must see an increase in housing investment across Wales and housing must become a much greater priority for all levels of government in Wales. Local Government is calling for a robust discussion with the Assembly Government to find a deliverable and affordable solution to this huge problem. ”
Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Spokesperson for Housing said:
“At a local level, local authorities, as community leaders are rising to the challenge and making housing a priority. However, local authorities cannot tackle these issues on their own. We must work together with our housing partners across Wales and across boundaries as well as developing our partnerships with the private and the voluntary sectors.”
“Good quality affordable housing can make a real contribution to improved health and well being, safer and more sustainable communities, independent living for vulnerable people, community regeneration and economic prosperity. By making housing a priority we will also deliver improvement in the quality of life of our residents and our communities.”
“The WLGA will continue to lobby the National Assembly and Assembly Government and work with our partners to move housing higher up the political agenda and address our housing priorities set out in our Housing Policy Statement published In May. Furthermore we are committed to working with the Assembly Government and our partners to increase the supply of affordable housing to rent and to buy, and improve housing quality across all sectors.”
Nick Bennett, Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru added:
“Recent positive stock transfer ballots in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport and Conwy mean that the number of rented properties in the not for profit sector will increase from 64,324 to approximately 100,000- as we face the challenge of change it is important that we have the right investment and regulatory regime to support investment in communities across Wales. Housing Associations in Wales spend £90m a year on community regeneration as well as over £200m on the direct provision of social housing- our boards now have over a third of direct tenant representation. We are an increasingly vital player in the social economy of Wales.”
Chris O Meara, outgoing Chair of Community Housing Cymru said:
“The increase in the not for profit registered social landlord sector will create huge opportunities for investment and improvements in quality standards across Wales but in meeting the challenge for change it is right that existing housing associations, shadow organisations and local authorities come together to envision a better future- I believe our relationship with local government is now more important than ever.”
The joint conference will be addressed by deputy minister for Housing Jocelyn Davies, Finance Minister Andrew Davies and deputy minister with responsibility for regeneration, Leighton Andrews as well as former minister Sue Essex, who is currently leading a review of the regulation of the housing association movement.
For Copies of the WLGA’s Housing Policy Statement please visit www.wlga.gov.uk
Ends
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks