£20 million investment in Welsh housing

The Welsh Government is investing a further £20 million to improve the Welsh housing stock and bring thousands of derelict and inhabitable properties back into use.

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, today launched the Home Improvement Loans scheme, which will offer loans to home owners and landlords to improve poor quality housing across Wales.

Funding of £10 million will be provided over two years to offer interest-free loans of up to £25,000 per property, which will be recycled by local authorities and provided to homeowners across Wales to maximise the funding and improve the standard of Welsh housing.

The Minister made the announcement while visiting the Old Town Hall in Aberdare – a formerly disused building which was transformed into affordable homes thanks to £80,000 of House into Homes funding.

The Minister also today announced a further £10 million for the Houses into Homes scheme, bringing the total investment in the programme to £30 million. The additional funding will expand the programme which provides re-usable, interest-free loans to owners of empty run-down properties, to bring them back into use for sale or rent.

To date, 4471 empty and run-down properties have been turned into homes so far this Assembly term, only 529 short of the Welsh Government’s ambitious 5,000 target for the whole term.

Lesley Griffiths said:

“One of the biggest issues facing the housing sector at the moment is the lack of homes for sale or for rent. Empty homes are not only a wasted resource, but they can also attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour and can spoil the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

“I am delighted to announce our Home Improvement Loan programme is now open for business. This innovative scheme will improve poor quality housing across Wales – eliminating hazards which can cause harm to residents and health issues such as damp and cold.

“The success of our flagship Houses into Homes scheme must also be acknowledged. As well as bringing 4471 properties back into use, the scheme is also creating jobs in our construction industry. I hope this additional funding will build on this progress and give more families in Wales to opportunity to find a home.

“Today’s funding announcements clearly demonstrate our commitment to meeting Wales’ housing need.”

Councillor Keiron Montague, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Service Delivery, Communities and Housing added:

“Good quality housing is so important as it can positively impact on health and prosperity and I welcome the Minister’s announcement today that significant funding is to be made available to support the development of poor quality housing across Wales.

“We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Aberdare, which has recently undergone a £7.7million regeneration, for the launch of the scheme and to see first hand the positive impact the Houses into Home scheme has had transforming the disused former Town Hall into a vibrant cafe and affordable homes.”