‘Assembly Committee calls for action on affordable housing’

A new report by the cross party Assembly Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee has finished its inquiry into affordable and concluded that a ‘whole system’ approach to the issues ahead of the Welsh Government’s planned Housing Bill is needed from the Welsh Government from planning and building to mortgages and housing and welfare reforms.

There were 14 recommendations for action which are below and the full report is HERE

Recommendation 1. The Welsh Government should conduct an evaluation of its national housing strategy, to ensure that it is still fit for purpose, given the significant changes in the political, economic and financial climate since it was first published.

Recommendation 2. The Welsh Government should develop targets across the whole housing system, including an overall house building target. This Committee should be provided with an annual update on progress towards achieving those targets.

Recommendation 3. The Welsh Government should ensure existing working groups and networks are used to improve strategic co-ordination and partnership working on housing matters.

Recommendation 4. The Minister should provide an update on progress on fulfilling the recommendations of the 2011 report ―Making the most of the private rented housing sector‖ and ensure the recommendations are reflected in the forthcoming Housing Bill.

Recommendation 5. The Welsh Government should work with local planning authorities, developers and lenders to explore ways in which sites with planning permission in place for affordable housing can deliver new homes.

Recommendation 6. The Welsh Government should progress the development of the database of publicly owned land as a matter of urgency.

Recommendation 7. The Welsh Government should continue to work closely with stakeholders and partners to develop guidance on Section 106 agreements for affordable housing that is acceptable to all parties to allow development to take place.

Recommendation 8. The Welsh Government should explore the possibility of allowing local authorities to charge more than 100 per cent council tax on long term empty properties.  

Recommendation 9. The Welsh Government should outline its strategy for dealing with empty homes and update the Assembly regularly on progress in addressing this issue.

Recommendation 10. The Welsh Government should work with Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords and mortgage lenders to identify best value from scarce public subsidy and ensure that all options for alternative sources of public funding are explored.

Recommendation 11. The Welsh Government should closely monitor its intermediate rent model, to ensure that it is fit for purpose

Recommendation 12. The Welsh Government should explore the introduction of a Wales-wide mortgage indemnity scheme, and should report back to the Assembly on its conclusions at the earliest opportunity.  

Recommendation 13. The Welsh Government should continue its work around co-operatives and land trusts, and report back to the Assembly on progress.  

Recommendation 14. The Welsh Government should continue to monitor the impact of welfare reforms and ensure that the Ministerial task and finish group fully considers the impact of these changes upon housing in Wales.

Any source