In August, the Welsh government published their estimates for how many homes will need to be built over the next 20 years. Now, the Home Builders Federation has responded
The Welsh housing estimate puts the number of new homes needed per year at around 8,700 up to 2030.
The figures also show that there is a need for 9,400 affordable homes that is currently unmet.
The current rate will need to be doubled
The supply of housing in 2024/25 in Wales was 4,638 new homes, less than half of the projected need.
More specifically, 5,700 new homes for market and 3,060 affordable homes will be needed per year to meet requirements. Since 2021, there has been an under-delivery of 10,500 homes.
The Homes Builders Federation has now responded to these needs and how they play with the real figures. Mark Harris, planning and policy advisor for Wales, said: “HBF welcomes the updated housing needs data, which clearly shows the importance of delivering private house building as well as affordable housing in Wales. This data is well timed as several Local Development Plans are moving forward with their reviews, and work starts on Strategic Development Plans in Wales.
“New house building will need to more than double from current levels to meet Wales’ housing need in the years ahead. To achieve this, increasing housing supply of all tenures must be a priority for the next Welsh Government. HBF is calling for full coverage of up-to-date Local Development Plans, a further extension of Help to Buy Wales, and the restoration of Technical Advice Notice 1 or a similar mechanism.”
Scotland and Wales should be ambitious, say CIOB
Earlier this month, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) released their manifestos ahead of both the Scottish and Welsh elections in which they laid out their recommendations and encouragements for both countries to hit their targets.
Writing for PBC Today, both Jocelyne Fleming, CIOB policy and public affairs lead for Scotland, and David Kirby, CIOB policy and public affairs lead for Wales, discussed what the Institute wants to see from both new governments.
Jocleyne wrote: “Scotland approaches this election facing profound and interconnected challenges: a formally declared housing emergency; ambitious climate change targets; and the need to deliver a Just Transition that works for people and communities across the country. Each of these objectives depends, fundamentally, on a well-functioning built environment and a construction sector that is properly supported to deliver.”
David wrote: “The importance of the built environment continues to be acknowledged by policymakers of all levels and members of the public across Wales. However, since the last Senedd election in 2021, the sector has continued to face challenges.
“The growing skills gap and recruitment issues , alongside continued high energy, material, and labour costs, and a tough wider economy, mean the sector in Wales struggles compared to the rest of the UK, and many construction companies have ceased trading as a result. This is particularly negatively impacting SMEs, which make up the majority of the Welsh construction sector.”
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