The Welsh Labour Government, which has been propped up by Plaid Cymru, has confirmed that it will miss its target of creating 20,000 new low-carbon social homes by the end of the month, with a shortfall of around 1,348 homes.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, who has previously challenged the Welsh Labour Government on its housing figures, commented:
“It is shocking that 90,000 households are now on social housing waiting lists, especially when, as highlighted by Calon Cymru, there are 38,000 houses in Wales currently empty.
“This, along with the increase in the costs of renting, energy, and water bills, is making it harder for people to rent and for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. The average age of a first-time buyer has now increased to 34 years old.
“The Welsh Labour Government has truly failed people waiting for social housing and those in the private market. Homes create a sense of stability and belonging, and the Welsh Conservatives understand this.
“ That is why we have pledged to scrap Land Transaction Tax on primary residences to help people get onto, and move up and down, the property ladder, as well as explore the introduction of deposit passporting for social housing tenants, along with bringing to an end the use of hotels and caravans as emergency accommodation for families with children.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
