House!

Labour leadership race — By Daran Hill on November 6, 2009 8:30 am

EDWINA HART issued a press release yesterday focusing on her housing policy, which provides a viable hook to look at what the candidates are saying on this policy area.

original_imageAs Huw Lewis has a whole chapter of his manifesto on this topic, let’s start with him. He reckons that “Decent housing makes a difference to people’s lives. Indeed, it is the very basis from which we can build a happier, healthier society.” And he argues for:

  • As well as increasing the supply of social housing, we must also do much more to address the needs of the increasing numbers of families and individuals who find themselves stuck in the gap between social renting and home ownership.
  • Building on co-operative, shared ownership and mutual housing solutions, and providing vital support for the construction industry, we must look to innovative models that enable us to build more housing for less – without compromising on quality or environmental standards.
  • It is also vital that we take communities with us, recognising that people have a right to be concerned about the future of their own area. We must listen to tenants more, actually delivering on their priorities and giving more autonomy to tenant’s federations and resident groups.
  • Focus on new ways of delivering affordable homes, based upon co-operative and mutual housing models, so we can do more to help those caught in the gap between social rented accommodation and home ownership.
  • Entrench the concept of permanent affordability within our housing strategy, so that any government subsidy for housing is locked in for future generations.
  • Develop a new empty homes initiative by working closely with local government and housing providers, making the most of existing dwellings and finding a new use for neglected historic buildings in areas where pressure on housing is greatest and using it as a focus for regeneration and renewal.

    • original_imageSo what does Carwyn Jones have to say on this policy area? He wants to “see the public pound go further in creating stronger communities across Wales, whether it is providing good housing, promoting shared neighbourhoods, reducing crime and violence or rewarding creativity.”

  • More affordable housing, with local authorities able to build new council housing if they reach the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.
  • More spending on housing, recognising that spending on construction maintains jobs in local communities.
  • Continuing to provide support to older people for council tax .

    • original_image3Edwina Hart, a former Housing Minister, says that if she becomes First Minister she will push for radical new ways of expanding funding for Welsh housing, and help the Welsh Assembly Government move towards its declared target of 6,500 new homes. She is promoting a new Welsh Housing Investment Bond which “would allow Housing Associations and, potentially, local authorities, to raise far more capital than they can at the moment. It would allow local authorities to begin a return to their traditional social housing role. The scheme would supported by an investment by the Welsh Assembly Government.” The plan would launch a new Welsh Housing Bond at a fixed rate of return, which would give housing associations – and possibly local authorities- more flexibility in the search for capital.

    “It’s clear that we need a major rethink on social housing, “said Mrs Hart. “The scheme is already well down the road as far as the planning stage is concerned, and as Health Minister I have been closely involved because the links between decent housing and good heath are so direct. I would like to see the Welsh Assembly Government get this scheme under way next year so that we can make a start on a major building programme which would be good for affordable housing and for the building trade.”

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