13 November 2008
The WLGA has today welcomed the Welsh Assembly Government’s 10 year homelessness plan as a clear commitment to homelessness prevention in Wales.
Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Housing Spokesperson said:
“This clear strategic direction from the Assembly Government is particularly important given the current economic downturn where we are seeing growing levels of unemployment in Wales which will inevitably result in increased levels of homelessness.”
“Welsh councils have focussed increasingly on homelessness prevention over recent years and this plan provides encouragement to their ongoing work. However, the crucial factor in addressing homelessness in Wales will be the supply of affordable homes. The number of council homes have been steadily reducing over the years and funding for housing associations has not been sufficient to meet growing housing need. There is a desperate lack of investment available to provide affordable homes across Wales with a widening funding gap between what this investment will provide and actual housing need. In recent years the planning system has ensured that private developers contribute to the supply of affordable homes but with the credit crunch housing development has ground to a halt.”
“However, there are some crumbs of comfort and we are delighted that the Assembly Government has responded to these housing pressures by considering an increase in funding for affordable housing in Wales through an increase in the Strategic Capital Investment Fund for local authorities for this year. This would not only deliver more affordable homes but would also safeguard jobs.”
“We also welcome the emphasis the plan gives to partnership working and recognises the benefits that housing can deliver across many policy areas, from health and well-being to economic development and community regeneration. All the agencies involved in delivering housing across Wales must be joined up in their thinking around these policy areas, but crucially it is vital that that adequate funding is available to support these arrangements at a national level.”
“The plan also indicates that the Assembly Government is intending to review the legislation in relation to homelessness. It will be essential that any changes to legislation are matched with the resources available to local authorities and their housing partners to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable homes to rent and to buy for whole communities across Wales and not just those in crisis, particularly as increasing numbers of home owners face repossession and are in need of housing advice and assistance.”
Copies of the Plan are available at: http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/housingcommunity/homelessnessconsult/?lang=en
Ends
Notes to Editor
• The strategic capital Investment Fund has been established by the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure best use of capital funds.
• A Ministerial Board is responsible for making capital investment decisions on expenditure of £400m capital funding that is available in the strategic capital investment fund (SCIF) to support capital investment over the next 3 years.
• An application has been made to the SCIF by the Welsh Assembly Government Housing division for £41m of additional investment in housing that will address the need for affordable housing across Wales and the impact of the credit crunch. The bid proposes purchase of properties that are not being sold and land that is not being developed.
For more information contact: Natasha Weeks