Independent review of housing policy in Wales announced by Welsh Government

The Minister for Housing & Regeneration, Rebecca Evans AM, has today announced that Welsh Government will carry out an independent review of housing policy in Wales.

The announcement comes just five months after the launch of Housing Horizons and Community Housing Cymru’s call for a policy review to look at how the sector can deliver on its ambition to build 75,000 affordable homes and establish good housing as a basic right for all in Wales.

The review, which will be chaired by Lynn Pamment, will consider how to double the rate of affordable home building in Wales and encompass issues such as rent policy, affordability, grant and standards. The review will be independent of government and recommendations will be shared with the Minister in 2019.

Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said:

“Housing associations in Wales have ambitions to build a minimum of 75,000 affordable homes in Wales over the next twenty years – doubling the current delivery rate. However, housing is much more than bricks and mortar; the whole life journey takes place in a home. It’s where strong communities and, therefore, solid local businesses can be established.

“Everybody deserves to live in a good quality home, and have the opportunity to live a prosperous, healthy, well-connected life. That’s why in November 2017 we launched ‘Housing Horizons’, our sector vision to make good housing a basic right for all. 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.”

Read Stuart's full speech from our Annual Conference here.