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Welsh Government announces affordable housing policy review
The Welsh Government has announced an independent review of affordable housing policy, with a focus on boosting supply.
Housing and regeneration minister Rebecca Evans unveiled the review at a visit to a housing association scheme this morning.
She previously expressed support for the sector’s call for a housing policy review in an exclusive interview with Inside Housing in March.
The review will examine the scope for increasing Welsh Government affordable housebuilding match-funding, as well as making recommendations for a “sustainable” rent policy.
And it will consider how councils and housing associations can be encouraged to enter more partnerships to build affordable homes.
It will also look at how offsite and other modern methods of construction can be used to start delivering zero carbon units in Wales by 2020, in addition to reviewing whether affordable housing standards need updating.
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“I want this review to ensure we are getting the best value for money in our investments and policy, including how we plan for a zero carbon future and the way in which the sector operates,” Ms Evans said.
“We know that many more people in Wales want to access affordable housing. The sector in Wales has called on us to look at our policy, and we want to work closely with all stakeholders involved in housing supply to ensure we are building as many homes as possible.”
The review will be chaired by Lynn Pamment, senior partner and government and public services lead at PwC’s Cardiff office.
Ms Pamment is expected to issue a report making recommendations to Ms Evans by the end of April 2019.
“Housing associations in Wales have ambitions to build a minimum of 75,000 affordable homes in Wales over the next 20 years – doubling the current delivery rate,” said Stuart Ropke, chief executive of Community Housing Cymru.
“This far-reaching ambition cannot be achieved without a full analysis of Welsh housing policy and how this is put into practice, so we are delighted the minister has backed our call for a review.
“Through the review we can establish the most effective policy environment to meet our affordable home delivery ambition and build a solid foundation for current and future generations. If we get this review right, it will be a big step towards solving the housing crisis.”
Matt Dicks, director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said: “We welcome today’s announcement of a review into housing policy in Wales.
“It rightly looks at what kind of homes we need in the future and how we can sustain longer-term investment while maintaining the affordability of our housing.”
At-a-glance: The review of affordable housing supply in Wales
The review will examine "whether more can be done to increase the supply of affordable housing in Wales, maximising the resources available", the Welsh government has said.
It will be chaired by Lynn Pamment, Cardiff senior partner and government & public services lead at PwC.
The Welsh government says the review will:
- examine the scope for increasing match funding to build more affordable homes, to maximise the number of homes created by the Welsh Government’s contribution to social housing
- review the arrangements governing partnership working between local authorities and housing associations
- consider the implications of moving to deliver zero carbon homes by 2020, including the role of off-site manufacture and modern methods of construction
- review the standards governing affordable housing and advise on whether they require updating
- make recommendations regarding a sustainable rent policy that will both allow long term affordability for tenants and allow viability of existing and new housing developments.
The review will be expected to issue a report and make recommendations by the end of April 2019
