NDM6909 Welsh Conservatives debate - Housing

NDM6909 Welsh Conservatives debate - Housing

NDM6909 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that the number of homes being built in Wales is inadequate to meet demand.

2. Regrets that:

a) there are currently more than 27,000 empty homes in Wales; and

b) the average house price in Wales is now roughly over 6 times the average earnings due to a shortage of homes.

3. Notes the Welsh Conservatives 'Housing a Nation' white paper which presents a comprehensive strategy to tackle Wales's housing crisis and provide suitable housing for all.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to;

a) acknowledge the need to build at least 100,000 homes between 2021-2031; and

b) give greater flexibility to housing associations so that they can develop a range of tenures to meet the demand for affordable housing.

Welsh Conservatives - Housing a Nation

 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1.    Recognises:

a) the record investment being made in housing by the Welsh Government.

b) that a new assessment of housing need and demand is necessary, based on up-to-date data and the latest household projections.

2.    Welcomes:

a) the Welsh Government commitment to deliver 20,000 affordable homes during this term of government, which is on track and will be delivered in partnership with the housing sector.

b)  the introduction of land transaction tax in Wales and the £180,000 starting threshold for the main residential rate, which means that the majority of homebuyers, and the vast majority of first-time buyers, pay no tax when buying a home.

3.  Acknowledges the Welsh Government’s continuing commitment to social housing, which has remained a fundamental priority, supporting the most vulnerable and protecting our existing social housing stock, unlike in England.

4. Notes the flexibility available to housing associations so they can develop a range of tenures to meet the demand for affordable housing.

 

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2, 3 and 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 1, after ‘being built’, insert ‘in the social housing sector’.

Amendment 3 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 2, delete sub-point (b) and replace with:

that low wages, insecure employment and high rents present significant barriers to home ownership.

Amendment 4 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that homelessness has risen substantially, and that this has cost public services considerably more than it would have cost to prevent homelessness.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) support housing associations and local authorities to increase the social housing stock through maximising their ability to access finance for this purpose, including through the use of Welsh Government borrowing powers;

b)  implement the recommendations of the Crisis report, 'Everybody In: How to end homelessness in Great Britain';

c) ensure that local development plans include a requirement for investment in public services in order that new developments can become sustainable communities; and

d) ensure that local development plans include a substantially greater proportion of social housing.

Everybody In: How to end homelessness in Great Britain  

 

Business type: Debate

Reason considered: Senedd Business;

Status: Complete

First published: 10/06/2021

Decision due: 9 Jan 2019 by Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Lead member: Darren Millar MS