Peter Black AM has warned the Welsh Labour Government that the Housing (Wales) Bill must not be a missed opportunity with regards to affordable housing targets.
In the National Assembly today, as the Welsh Government’s Housing Bill reaches what is likely to be the final phase, the Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for the Bill to include a statutory duty on the government to set termly targets for the supply of new affordable homes. The party is also calling for Wales to have national Empty Homes Strategy.
While Peter Black has welcomed proposals that will allow councils to increase council tax on empty homes, which is something the Welsh Liberal Democrats have campaigned on for several years, he has highlighted that action to bring empty homes back into use is not consistent across Wales and a strategy is needed to bring all the initiatives together.
Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, said:
“The lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest problems facing the country. Wales needs an ambitious government that will invest in a house building programme so everyone can have a roof over their heads. Sadly, the Housing Bill misses the opportunity to ensure that is the case.
“For too long the Welsh Labour Government has taken a haphazard approach to housing targets. The Welsh Liberal Democrats believe this Bill should include a statutory duty for government Ministers to set termly targets for the supply of new affordable homes. After each Assembly election, a new target must be set, with a duty to review it and report back annually. This issue is so important that these targets should be enshrined in law.
“Empty homes are a blight on our communities. Dereliction discourages investment and empty houses are a focal point for anti-social behaviour and petty crime. Wales desperately needs an empty homes strategy to ensure initiatives across Wales are joined up and actually are successful.”
