HOUSING

Extra £40m to tackle homelessness

The Welsh Government has announced extra cash aimed to provide people with safe and secure homes.

The Welsh Government has announced extra cash aimed to provide people with safe and secure homes.

Local authorities in Wales are now able to access an additional £40m of funding to help them ensure everyone who was provided with emergency accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic has a clear route to permanent housing.

In March, the Welsh Government announced £10m of funding to provide people facing homelessness with accommodation where they could self-isolate and follow public health advice on how best to protect themselves against COVID-19.

Minister for housing and local government, Julie James, said: ‘The coronavirus has shone a light on housing in a way that few of us have seen before and reminded us all of the fundamental importance of good-quality affordable housing, a safe and secure home and strong and cohesive communities where people want to live and work.

‘I have been clear that I do not wish to see anyone forced to return to the streets.

'We have a unique opportunity to change the services and change lives for the better - and make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.

'We want to build on the success we have seen so far and change Wales' approach to homelessness in the long-term.'

HOUSING

Councils to be 'accountable' for care improvements as commission launched

By Paul Marinko | 03 January 2025

The Government intends to hold councils ‘accountable’ for improving care in their areas as part of its social care reforms.

HOUSING

Is the 'stick'-led approach in planning reform the best strategy?

By Ben Standing | 23 December 2024

New planning rules feature a heavy presumption in favour of development, but Ben Standing argues we must also engage communities to ensure local people feel ...

HOUSING

New Towns: A checklist for development and delivery

By Katja Stille | 23 December 2024

Katja Stille looks at how New Towns can effectively support local authority housing delivery.

HOUSING

Goodbye to all that

By Martin Ford | 20 December 2024

Ann McGauran and Martin Ford take a look back at the highs and lows of a pacy and action-packed year for local government.

Popular articles by William Eichler