Welsh Government
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£37m investment to improve the housing supply and boost the economy
A £37 million funding boost for housing will make a difference to the lives of thousands of people across Wales and support the Welsh economy.
The significant investment was announced in the ‘Priorities for Wales’ Draft Budget earlier this week, which has continued the Welsh Government’s focus on its priorities for Wales, despite the unprecedented budget cuts by the UK Government.
The £37 million investment will be used to expand the Affordable Housing Land Scheme, Houses into Homes, the Town Centre Loans Scheme and Home Improvement Loans. These schemes are improving the lives of people and families, increasing the housing supply and providing a boost to the Welsh economy.
As part of this, £2 million has also gone towards the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Programme to improve the standard of living for Gypsy and Traveller residents throughout Wales.
The Draft Budget also protects funding for the Welsh Government’s Flying Start programme, which supports families across Wales by providing free childcare for 2-3 year olds, parenting support, an improved health visitor service and help for early language development.
The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, said:
"Our Draft Budget reflects the Welsh Government’s overarching commitment to create a more equal society, where everyone has an opportunity to progress.
"Our investments aim to enable all people in Wales to live in a safe and warm home, within a viable and vibrant community. This significant extra investment in housing and regeneration will make a big contribution towards economic growth and the creation of jobs, as well as supporting children and families. It will also make a very real difference to the lives of people from our poorest communities.
"We will continue to work with our partners and Local Authorities to deliver these schemes and improve the futures of communities across Wales."
Finance Minister Jane Hutt said:
"Investment in housing is an integral part of our Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan. The additional £37m for housing I announced earlier this week as part of our ‘Priorities for Wales’ Draft Budget 2015-16 will play a key role in delivering better quality and more affordable housing.
"We also know that investment in housing has wider benefits and is central to our preventative approach. The latest package, which includes £5m for investment this year, will not only benefit people’s overall quality of life but also deliver benefits to people’s health and wellbeing."
