The manifesto details the needs of CIH Cymru members ahead of the next Senedd election in 2026
Rights to adequate housing, and affordable homes are both key points included in the Welsh housing manifesto.
Five key points are made in the document, calling on the next Welsh government to commit to housing delivery.
The manifesto also includes a housing strategy
CIH Cymru has gone into more depth in the strategy, which includes research designed to help inform readers on why CIH is making the calls it is.
The five points laid out in the manifesto are:
- Enshrine the right to adequate housing into Welsh law
- Deliver more social and affordable homes
- Improve our existing homes and tackling fuel poverty
- Address stigma associated with social housing and promote the positive impact of diverse communities
- Foster a professional and resilient workforce.
Matt Dicks, national director of CIH Cymru, said: “We all know having a suitable, safe and affordable home is key to an equitable Wales. Yet to do this we must ensure that housing is a foundational mission of government in Wales.
“The starting point for this is incorporating a rights-based approach to housing into Welsh legislation. This will help drive the whole-system strategic approach to housing in Wales across political cycles to not only end our current housing emergency but to ensure current and future generations can access a suitable, safe and affordable home.”
“Wales needs a sustainable housing system which will help support a circular economy, eradicate stigma and ensure that our housing workforce is valued and seen for the profession it is. Our manifesto is bult on the foundation of the right to adequate housing and shows how the right can embed the change we need across Wales.
“We hope that politicians from all parties listen to the voices of Wales’ housing professionals, and we look forward to engaging with them in the lead up to the election on behalf of our members.”
The manifesto can be read in full here.
Housing supply in Wales is falling
In August, statistics were released showing that, during the 2024/25 period, housing supply had decreased by 3%, with 4,631 new homes completed, compared to 4,771 in 2023/24.
It further showed a 9% decrease in the number of new homes delivered by the private sector, and a 26% decrease in the number of dwellings started year-on-year.
Mark Harris, the Home Builder Federations’ planning and policy advisor for Wales, said: “A further reduction in the number of homes built in Wales last year illustrates the stark challenges faced by house builders across the country.
“Out-of-date Local Development Plans continue to limit investment in new housing, while delays in the planning process, caused by an influx of additional policy and regulatory requirements and a lack of resource within council planning departments, create more uncertainty and costs for builders.
“This downward trend is now entrenched and likely to continue unless urgent action is taken by the +Welsh Government to address the many barriers in the way of delivering the homes that Wales needs.”
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