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Welsh housing sector ‘disappointed’ as Budget includes no increase for support funding
Housing sector figures in Wales have expressed their disappointment that a major funding stream for preventing homelessness will not be increased in 2020/21.
Housing Support Grant has not been increased in the final Welsh government Budget for 2020/21, published this week.
In a joint statement, Katie Dalton, director of Cymorth Cymru; Stuart Ropke, chief executive of Community Housing Cymru; and Eleri Butler, chief executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, warned that services reliant on the funding are “at a tipping point”, but added that Welsh ministers were “in the extraordinary position of having to table their Budget before the UK government has made its spending plans clear”.
The Housing Support Grant was introduced in 2018 and funds support services for vulnerable people, including refuges and supported accommodation.
Earlier this month, Welsh housing minister Julie James told ITV News that the Housing Support Grant would be “right up there in the queue” if the Welsh government is to receive additional money following the UK Budget.
The UK government was initially due to release its Budget in November last year, but it has been delayed until March because of the general election.
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The joint statement from Ms Dalton, Mr Ropke and Ms Butler said: “We are disappointed that the Housing Support Grant has not been increased in the final Welsh government budget for 2020/21.
“However, we recognise that the Welsh Government has been placed in the extraordinary position of having to table their budget before the UK government has made its spending plans clear.
“We have been heartened by recent comments made by the housing minister and finance minister who have recognised the cross party calls for further investment and indicated that the Housing Support Grant will be the priority for additional funds from the UK Budget.
“We know that services are at a tipping point, following over £37m real-term cuts over the past decade of austerity.
“We urge Welsh ministers to ensure that the Housing Support Grant is first in line for additional funding.”
Matthew Kennedy, policy and public affairs manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said: “We’re disappointed that the Housing Support Grant that funds support for people to remain in their homes and live independently has not received additional investment.
“At a time when demand is only increasing, the impact will be felt across the NHS and public services, risking timely housing solutions for individuals not being realised in practice.”
Published on Tuesday, the final Welsh Budget for 2020/21 confirmed a series of spending measures laid out in the government’s draft budget in December.
An extra £133m will be given by the Welsh government to support the delivery and improvement of social housing, bringing the total budget for social housing grants to £223m.
Mr Kennedy added: “Support for building new affordable and social housing at pace is clear to see in this Budget. With the challenge of upgrading the quality of existing homes alongside needing to build innovative, sustainable housing, consistent and growing levels of financial support are vital.”
