North Wales landlord launches corporate plan aimed at tackling poverty and regional inequality

Cris McGuinness, chair of ClwydAlyn’s board, said: “In 2023-24, over 13,500 households in Wales were assessed as homeless, the highest number since Welsh legislation began.

“In the same time period, almost 18,000 people were placed into temporary accommodation. These figures reflect a very real and urgent requirement for support within our communities.”

To deliver its ambition, the landlord reduced housing officer patch sizes from around 600 to 250. This closer relationship includes a new resident involvement programme called Influence Us.

Clare Budden, chief executive of ClwydAlyn, said: “We are determined to tackle the inequalities that exist in our region. Our new corporate plan is an active statement of purpose, laying out specifics on how we propose to achieve our priorities.

“From the development of more safe, affordable homes, to working in collaboration to influence and advocate for our residents and communities, there’s a lot to be done.

“Engaging in conversations with organisations that share our commitment to ending poverty and inequalities features significantly in our new corporate plan.”

The 6,800-home landlord has previously taken action to reduce poverty, including setting up a no-evictions initiative in 2020. Instead, it targets resources at working with residents to understand their circumstances.

It said that, since 2019, it has not evicted any residents, while rent arrears have reduced from 4.29% in 2022-23 to 4.19% in 2023-24.

There will also be a focus on the well-being of staff and residents. The landlord said its internal well-being team has supported hundreds of colleagues and it remained committed to providing such support. This will extend to enhance the well-being support currently offered to ClwydAlyn’s residents and communities.

The association is also working towards becoming a trauma and adverse childhood experience (TrACE) informed organisation and understanding the impact of vicarious trauma on its staff.

On development, the landlord plans to deliver a further 1,169 new homes during the life on the plan, in seven council areas, bringing its total number of homes to almost 8,000.

Last month, ClwydAlyn retained its A credit rating with a stable outlook from S&P, which said the landlord’s rental income from extra properties and grant funding would offset increased debt and spending for development.

The landlord also previously created a children’s book to help young readers understand lessons about fire safety.