More than £52m is to be pumped into improving the quality of Welsh housing over the coming year, Welsh assembly local government and finance minister Edwina Hart has announced
The £52.3m will be used to support strategic housing schemes in both the public and private sectors, and is up £2.5m on last year’s allocation.

But experts warned that a much higher investment in crumbling Welsh stock is needed.

“This funding will enable local authorities to tackle their housing priorities,” Hart said. “The strategies are wide ranging and will not only improve housing conditions but will play an important role in improving and regenerating our communities.”

The fund is in addition to the £156.9m allocated to local authorities for housing as part of their general capital fund, and the £56.4m available to RSLs.

Money invested in the public sector will fund work to improve the condition of homes and council estates, and will also be used to support crime reduction schemes.

Funds directed at private sector housing will help provide facilities to allow the elderly and disabled to continue to live independently.

Peter Black, deputy housing and local government minister, said: “There is a huge backlog of repairs and improvements for council housing in Wales, so we are anxious to invest as much money as possible in our housing. “This cash is another step forward in bringing all council housing in Wales up to scratch by 2010. There is also a correlation between bad health and bad housing, and this is one of the reasons we’re investing. The better the housing, the smaller our health bill.”

Chartered Institute of Housing Wales director Keith Edwards welcomed the money, but added: “The assembly has said we need £1bn to bring housing in Wales up to scratch, so we are still a long way short.”

Public funding alone would not be “up to the task”, but the institute will lobby hard for recognition in the next comprehensive spending review, he warned.

Source

Housing Today