# SUSTAINABLE HOMES A NATIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY FOR WALES Convegno Internazionale Milano Wednesday 5 th March 2009 Paul Webb, Head of Housing Policy

The context in Wales Demography Population 2,999,600 Households1,261,000 Population growth by 2031to 3,300,000 Household growth by % Older people by %

The context in Wales Housing Stock Owner Occupation73% Private Renting11% Social Housing16% Owner occupation grown from 62% in 1981 Council stock declined from 27% 1981 to 11% Housing Association grown from 1% to 5%

The context in Wales Housing Supply New completions 8,400 p.a. Projected need8,600 p.a. Projected social housing need2,500 p.a Actual social housing completions769 p.a. Homelessness presentations 5.45 households per 1000 Private Renting11% Social Housing16% Owner occupation grown from 62% in 1981 Council stock declined from 27% 1981 to 11% Housing Association grown from 1% to 5%

The context in Wales The nature of social housing 27% of social renters have a long term illness or disability Economic inactivity 20% compared to 6% average Social and spatial residualisation Objective to meet Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2012 Estimated cost £3 billion Private Renting11% Social Housing16% Owner occupation grown from 62% in 1981 Council stock declined from 27% 1981 to 11% Housing Association grown from 1% to 5%

Social Housing Delivery in Wales Housing Associations develop through mixed funding regime Registered bodies who are not for profit and subject to a Regulatory Code 32 developing associations organised in six consortia.

Social Housing Delivery in Wales 22 unitary Local Authorities Almost completely non-developing 7 have transferred all stock Current pressure to develop

The National Housing Strategy for Wales A whole housing market approach Based on sustainability economic, social and environmental Using Housing as a catalyst to improve lives Promoting regeneration in terms of built environment, jobs and skills and community cohesion. Breaking down the barriers that prevent movement between social housing, private renting and owner occupation.

1. Providing the right mix of housing – the challenge of meeting need 2. Using housing as a catalyst to improve lives – the challenge of social justice 3. Strengthening communities – the challenge of regeneration 4. Radically reducing the ecological footprint – the challenge of climate change 5.Ensuring better services – the challenge of continuous improvement 6.Delivering together – the challenge of making the strategy a reality The structure of the National Housing Strategy