Good housing must be central to post-Covid recovery in Wales, says Community Housing Cymru (CHC) in its ‘Home’ manifesto calling for 20,000 new social homes over the next five years plus an ambitious programme to make existing homes more energy efficient.
CHC’s proposals, alongside long term investment from housing associations and Welsh Government, will support housing associations directly employing 10,000 people across Wales, support thousand more jobs and training opportunities across the wider economy, provide a £6bn economic boost to communities up and down Wales and improve the nation’s health.
The pandemic has laid bare the importance of home, and highlighted the inequalities faced by people living in poor quality housing. Where we live has never been more important to how we live.
Research by CHC shows that poor housing costs the NHS in Wales £95million each year in treatment costs, while 155,000 households still face fuel poverty in Wales.
Investing in a home that is adaptable, connected, warm and safe makes a massive difference to health outcomes and to the economy as a whole.
The Home manifesto highlights some of the key challenges facing the sector, with housing associations committed to working side by side with the next Welsh Government through some bold pledges to bring billions in private investment to Wales, match every £1 invested to build new social housing and increase its membership spend in Wales from 85p to 90p in every pound.
Stuart Ropke, chief executive at Community Housing Cymru, said: ‘The forthcoming election gives us all an opportunity to define Wales’ path out of the challenges that the pandemic has posed, and its result has the potential to plot a course to prosperity and health for the next generation. Ahead of launching the Home manifesto, we engaged with hundreds of colleagues from housing associations alongside almost 100 partners from the public, private and third sectors, and we want to see that pan Wales partnership work continue beyond the election next year.
‘We are serious about using our unique position to grow prosperous, healthy and connected places and this is why we have made some important commitments in the manifesto to work with the next Welsh Government. Now is the time to work together to make it happen.’