The Independent Review of Affordable Housing Supply in Wales offers the chance to explore a rights-based approach to providing homes, says the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Cymru in its response.
The organisation says the measure would support progress made in the Wellbeing and Social Services Act (2014) and Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015) and make Wales a leading light for progressive action for current and future generations.
Its submission to the review argues:
‘Whilst this would signify a seismic shift in the way the housing system works both now and in the future, the impact on reducing homelessness, prioritising housing within the government’s portfolio (as well as locally) and providing the best outcomes for people would be considerable. There may be opportunities to explore how statutory duties in relation to housing could help realise this in reality.’
CIH Cymru stresses the broader impact of housing and the need to consider how stronger links can be made across the government’s portfolio and remit in areas such as healthcare and economic infrastructure.
It calls for action across a range of different areas, focussing on affordability, sustainability and land, and support for both housing associations and local authorities.
It highlights the particular importance of:
- Funding certainty over grant (for both revenue services and capital investment) for housing associtions and local authorities
- The need to address the negative stigma linked to social housing that has emerged in its Tyfu Tai Cymru) perceptions research
- A greater role for tenants, particularly in relation to rent freedoms, if this is realised
- Considering current housing conditions across all tenures, particularly the private rented sector.
The independent review, chaired by Lynn Pamment, is looking at a range of measures across finance, construction, design and housing policy alongside existing arrangments for delivering affordable housing.
In its submission, Community Housing Cymru calls for greater flexibility in rent setting, development quality and the distribution of grant.