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Welsh sector pledges to double housebuilding
Housing associations in Wales have committed to doubling their rate of housebuilding to deliver 75,000 new homes by 2036.
The sector built 2,207 new homes in 2016/17, according to a new report commissioned by Community Housing Cymru (CHC) and produced by Beaufort Research and Houston Economic Consulting.
That is an increase of 17% on the year before – but associations will need to up their output to around 4,000 homes annually to meet the ambitious new target.
CHC, which represents housing associations in Wales, will announce the commitment as part of its 20-year vision for the sector at its annual conference in Cardiff today.
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Landlords are also promising to create 150,000 new jobs over the next two decades, as well as committing to keep 95% of their spending in Wales and making all housing association stock near-zero-carbon standard.
CHC is calling for a review of housing policy in Wales to help the sector achieve its aims, with “even more ambition, improved partnership working and recognition that affordable housing is the key to prosperity”.
“Our vision for Wales in 2036 is one where good housing is a basic right for all,” said Stuart Ropke, chief executive of CHC.
“From doubling the delivery rate of affordable homes to ensuring that the right services are built around these homes, it’s crucial that we establish the most effective policy environment to create a solid foundation for current and future generations.”
More than a third of the homes built by housing associations last year (34%) were delivered without social housing grant from the Welsh Government, while the sector spent just over £1bn, with 84% of that kept in Wales’ economy.
The Welsh Government has a target to see 20,000 affordable homes delivered between 2016 and 2021, with housing associations signed up to provide at least 12,500 of those.
