Welsh Government puts £24m into New Build Housing Programme

WELSH GOVERNMENT HAS put £24million into bringing forward affordable housing developments in a move to boost the construction sector.

The Labour-led government has a target of providing 20,000 more affordable homes across Wales by 2021.

Housing minister Julie James revealed that 13,143 of the 20,000 promised have already been delivered (up to end of March 2019).

This includes 2,592 affordable housing units delivered across Wales in 2018/19, 12% higher than 2017/18 and the highest annual total to date.

Construction boost

Housing Minister, Julie James said: “Ensuring everyone can have a good quality, affordable home is my number one priority as Wales’ Housing Minister. So I’m pleased to be able to report we are on track to delivering the 20,000 new affordable homes we promised as part of our Programme for Government – with 65% of homes already delivered.

“But we want to build more homes, at pace, and at scale. The additional investment I am announcing today will help us meet that pledge, helping to boost the construction sector and ensuring people have the home they need, which supports a healthy, successful and prosperous life.

“By the end of this current term of government, we will have invested more than £2 billion in housing across Wales – a clear indication of the importance we attached to delivering more good-quality homes, which are the bedrock of good communities and form the basis for individuals and families to flourish in all aspects of their lives.”

The funding is part of the Welsh Government’s second supplementary budget for this current financial year (2019/20).