Issue 141: Spring 2026

Editorial – Catalyst for change

With the Senedd election due on May 7, a new Welsh Government will soon be in charge of the direction of devolved policy on housing and homelessness. As the election manifestos of the main parties show (p12-15), big changes are possible depending on the election result.

It’s all change at WHQ as well, with Sally Hales taking over from me as editor after this issue (p16). After 13 years at the helm, it’s time for some fresh energy and ideas but WHQ will remain the independent voice for Welsh housing and regeneration that it has always been.

Regeneration is an appropriate theme for this Spring issue (p21-37) with all that renewal in the air. We look at projects across the spectrum from large schemes to small interventions.  At one end of that scale, Mark Barry introduces our special feature with a look at transit-oriented development linked to the South Wales Metro, while Nick Taylor-Williams considers the future of large-scale regen. Catherine Evans reports on plans by Trivallis for the regeneration of the Penrhys estate in the Rhondda Valleys and Rhianydd Jenkins outlines Beacon’s regeneration plans.

At the other, Katie Clubb explains how Conwy’s Empty Spaces Pilot is driving town centre regeneration, Craig Sparrow reports on ClwydAlyn’s redevelopment of a historic street in Rhyl and Elliw Llŷr relates how a derelict historic building in Holyhead was transformed. Meanwhile Jen Heal reports on lessons from the Town Booster Pilot Programme from Abertillery and Llantwit Major.

This issue also looks at issues that will be crucial to the future of housing whoever wins the election. Edward Shepherd (p17-20) explores what Wales can learn from England on land value capture and viability in housebuilding. Wendy Dearden (p42-43) looks at how to boost social housing supply by making use of existing buildings, while Cerys Clark (p52) considers the impact of housing standards on bringing empty homes back into use. Tom Spare (p44) looks ahead and asks how we can deliver 60,000 social homes over the next decade.

We also have two important features on homelessness. Debbie Thomas (p45-46)  looks at the implementation journey that lies ahead for the new legislation and Sara O’Shea (p47-48) considers how services can benefit from the insights of people with lived experience of homelessness that helped to shape it.

I hope that all that, plus much more besides, make for an edition with something to interest everyone. This is my final issue but I wish everyone in Welsh housing well and know that WHQ will go from strength to strength.

Jules Birch, editor, WHQ