Urgent need for more new homes in Wales

A new report released by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) today shows that action is desperately needed as the new homes shortage in Wales has hit 60,000, following a record low in new home building last year.

Fewer new homes in Wales were built last year than at any point since the Second World War, and this stark statistic was revealed today as the HBF launched its election manifesto in Wales, urging AMs to wake up to the mounting housing crisis.

The HBF insist that the housing issues are now affecting every Welsh constituency and the social and economic impacts of an acute housing shortage are becoming ever more apparent.

There are now 100,000 families languish on housing waiting lists, many young people who unable to buy a home and are delaying starting a family, first time buyers require an average deposit of around £30,000, while Shelter estimates an annual societal cost of poor housing to Wales of £168m.

The HBF manifesto, which is being sent today to every candidate at the forthcoming elections, urges politicians to prioritise housing policy to deliver more desperately needed new homes in Wales.

The Manifesto outlines the steps that urgently need taking to increase supply on new homes.
The HBF wants to see new policies introduced that ensure the Planning System balances objectives to deliver more housing, along with more help for first time buyers to address the chronic lack of mortgage availability.

Speaking today HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: "Wales has a desperate and growing housing crisis that just has to be addressed. But despite the shortfall of homes fast approaching a million, we are building less than at any time since the Second World War. The social and economic implications dictate that the new Assembly Government's AMs must address the barriers to delivery as a matter of urgency."