WIREDGOV

The Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant, has outlined how partnership working between the Welsh Government and housing associations is delivering for communities across Wales. 

In a statement at plenary, the Minister gave details on what has already been achieved during this term of Government whilst also outlining what he expects to see over the coming months.

Mr Sargeant said,

“Investment in quality, affordable homes is not just about bricks and mortar. It helps tackle poverty, achieve educational attainment, improve health and wellbeing and support jobs and growth for people across Wales.

“To this end, I’m very encouraged by the response to our ambitious new target of delivering 10,000 during this term of Government. The housing supply pact which I agreed with Community Housing Cymru last month helps provide clarity on how best to meet and exceed this target.

“One of the primary commitments of the pact was to look at innovation and delivery, ensuring we do more with less in order to provide as much as possible for the people of Wales. An example of where this is already happening is through the Housing Finance Grant, where the Welsh Government and housing associations have worked together to deliver over 1,000 further affordable homes  thanks to £125 million of private funding.

“Despite a shrinking budget and the UK Government’s welfare reform agenda hitting some of the poorest and most vulnerable people hardest, we must do more. I have asked officials, in conjunction with housing sector, to examine and test how the Social Housing Grant programme can deliver more, while being very clear about our continuing commitment to social housing.

“I look forward to continuing to work with housing associations, and others, in order to ensure that housing continues to make a real difference to people across Wales.”