Significant housing boost welcomed by WLGA and Shelter Cymru
02 December 2008
Welsh councils and their housing association partners will receive an extra £42m from the Welsh Assembly Government to boost the delivery of new affordable homes across Wales.
Reacting to the additional funding that has been released by the Strategic Capital Investment Fund, Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Housing Spokesperson said:
“This additional investment for housing is extremely welcome and a good sign that the Welsh Assembly Government has recognised the need for urgent action. The WLGA and their Housing Association partners have been saying for a long time that Welsh Assembly Government funding for affordable housing is insufficient to meet the growing housing problems in Wales.
Current investment is less than half of the funding that was available in the mid 1990’s. We therefore welcome the additional £42m, but much more is needed. The WLGA has also been pressing the Welsh Assembly Government to bring forward capital money from future years and we are hopeful that this will result in additional funding for this year and next.
The failure of the housing and financial markets and the recession have combined to have a drastic impact on our communities with rising numbers of families at risk of losing their home or their job or and sometimes both.
This extra money will go a long way to helping these vulnerable homeowners and will inject a much needed stimulus into the construction industry and the wider economy at a time when it is most needed.”
Michelle Wales, Shelter Cymru’s Head of External Affairs, said:
"Obviously, Shelter Cymru greatly welcomes any additional investment in affordable housing. The money is a good start and will provide a much-needed shot in the arm, both for people in housing need and for Wales's beleaguered construction industry.
"However, combating poor housing and homelessness will need substantial and sustained investment over the long-term. This announcement is a further reinforcement of the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to providing affordable homes as a cornerstone of tackling social inequality."
The strategic capital Investment Fund has been established by the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure best use of capital funds.
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