Boost for supply of affordable homes in Wales

I welcome the Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable homes in Wales.

The Welsh Government Draft Budget unveiled earlier this month pledged an additional £12.7 million to increase the number of social houses in Wales; while Housing Minister Lesley Griffiths AM has announced that current rent policies will continue into next year, allowing social landlords to invest in properties and continue to provide key services to tenants, including work and training opportunities.

I am passionate about housing, and believe it is absolutely imperative that we do all we can to increase the depleted stock of social housing across the UK. In Newport alone we have several thousand people – including many families – waiting to move into a new affordable home.

It’s pleasing that the Welsh Government are committed to investing in social housing, and are supporting social landlords in increasing the supply of much-needed affordable homes. This latest investment – coupled with the decision to phase out the sell-off of social housing – is a progressive and significant move.