Launching the Housing Horizons vision
We began this work by posing big questions to housing associations right across Wales. Over the next 20 years, what difference will you make?
There is no doubt that housing associations see themselves as playing a major role in supporting people and places to become the best they can be, both now and in the future. Indeed, housing associations are at this moment working in every place in Wales. We house 1 in 10 of the population. We build homes, provide services and invest in local businesses. Last year alone, we made an economic investment of nearly £2bn into Wales.
But in response to these big questions, another one emerged.
What if?
What if good housing was seen as a basic right for all in Wales? What if housing was genuinely seen as the starting point for successful lives and successful places, and public money was spent accordingly and key decisions made around housing to help achieve this?
Good question.
Our vision for Wales in 2036 is one where good housing is a basic right for all.
We know that good housing makes a difference to everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you rent, own or something in between. We build our lives in and from our homes. When our home doesn’t work for us, it affects our lives. It affects the lives of our families. It fundamentally affects the prosperity of our places because good housing is the cornerstone of a stable community that invests in itself.
Housing associations in Wales have a big ambition to meet this basic right. We have a strong track record of building, investing and reinvesting. We’ve been doing it for fifty years and are in this for the long term. We have been working in communities across Wales towards this purpose for generations. It’s what we do. It’s what we will always do. Our homes are not just seen as bricks and mortar; they are used to attract investment which is ploughed back into Wales. Services are built around these homes and they provide a foundation for social and community connections.
We challenge public services, private companies and politicians to work with us to achieve our vision for 2036. This document sets out our commitment to make this vision a reality. We know we can’t do this alone and we want to work with anyone and everyone who supports our vision for good housing as a basic right for all in Wales.
We look forward to working with you.
Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive
Community Housing Cymru