Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s newly appointed Director of Properties, Rhys Dafis, 57, is no stranger to Denbigh’s housing association; he was involved in the founding of Tai Clwyd, over 30 years ago. He took on his new role in April 2011, returning home to north Wales after nearly 30 years living and working in west Wales and Cardiff. A native of Llansannan, the married father of three is delighted to be back:
“I have been extremely fortunate to secure this role, and I’m delighted to be back here and working for an organisation which has done so much for the local area,” Rhys Dafis explains. “We established Tai Clwyd in the 70s at a time of great demand for local affordable housing. Even though the Association has provided over 1800 homes since then, the housing need remains. In a sense I’m continuing what I helped start over 30 years ago, and it’s an exciting challenge!”
Rhys’s interest in social housing and Chartered Surveying skills were forged into a career in 1982 when he was appointed to head the development of ‘Cantref’ housing association in west Wales. Then in 1988, he moved on to Cardiff to become Assistant Director at Tai Cymru, the government body created to plan, fund and regulate housing association activity. His work included developing shared ownership and other alternative social housing models and procedures, housing and related research, and building joint working arrangements with local and national bodies to assist housing provision.
Later he moved and took the responsibility for the public and voluntary sector at the Welsh Language Board, and then established his own consultancy company ‘Dyfal,’ advising bodies and businesses regarding bilingual policies and services. However, he continued to be actively involved in housing, serving as board member for several housing associations, and contributing to housing policy development, including rural housing matters.
Of his new role Rhys explains: “As Director of Property, my role centres on making sure we maintain the high standard of Tai Clwyd’s homes, increase their energy efficiency, and provide our tenants – our main customers – with an excellent repairs service. It is a strategic and long term investment in the wellbeing of people and property.”
“Another challenge I see is that housing needs within our communities continue to grow, especially so in this economic climate. More and more people are finding it difficult to get a foot on the housing ladder, due to financial constraints, mortgage issues and employment concerns. This will, no doubt, put more emphasis and demand on social housing and affordable homes at a time when housing faces a substantial grant reduction over at least the next 3 years – this will be another great challenge for us, as we balance investment and new projects with a decreasing budget.”
In the few months Rhys has been at Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, he has been struck by the organisation great asset – its staff: “They are so committed to the work we do – they believe in what the organisation does – and this is vital in achieving the goals we have set ourselves for the coming years.”
In his leisure time, Rhys enjoys singing and poetry, and is a keen mountaineer. Later this month, he will take on the ‘Welsh 15 Peaks’, climbing all of Snowdonia’s 15 summits in 24 hours. Later this year, he will be in the Himalayas with ‘Clwb Mynydda Cymru’ These challenges will be used to raise money for Tai Clwyd’s annual charity, Shelter Cymru.
Alwyn Llwyd, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s Chief Executive said: “We are delighted that Rhys Dafis has joined the team and returned home to his roots in north Wales. He brings with him a wealth of experience not only in housing but in areas such as policy, management and strategy. He will, no doubt, prove to be a great asset, and we welcome him warmly to the association.”
Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd is a Charitable Housing Association that works with tenants in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, north Powys and south Gwynedd. Its headquarters is in Denbigh with a satellite office in Y Bala, Gwynedd.
