One in 14 households affected as housing crisis deepens

MORE than 94,000 households in Wales are waiting for a social home—equivalent to one in every fourteen homes across the country.

The figures, obtained by Shelter Cymru through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to every local authority in Wales, reveal the scale of the housing emergency. In total, the waiting lists cover approximately 170,000 people, including around 45,000 children.

Despite the mounting demand, just 2,600 new social homes were built in Wales last year. At this rate, it would take 35 years to meet the current need, campaigners have warned.

The charity is calling for urgent action and a step change in investment from the Welsh Government, warning that the housing crisis is having a devastating impact on individuals and families—particularly single-parent households, who are disproportionately represented on waiting lists.

Shelter Cymru is supporting Louise*, a single mother living in temporary accommodation with her two children after being made homeless due to rent arrears. Louise said: “It’s horrendous because you’re living in limbo. You live a completely different life because you don’t know what’s next. All I want is somewhere permanent so I can get my life back to normal, so I can get a job again. But it’s just the waiting. We’re not able to make plans. We’re stuck here. You can’t think about planning your future.”

Ruth Power, CEO of Shelter Cymru, said the figures should serve as a wake-up call.

“These new figures are a wake-up call,” she said. “It is unacceptable that more than 94,000 households are forced to wait years for a place they can call home. We must confront the reality that, as a nation, we are failing to meet the needs of our communities.

“Investing in social homes is a moral obligation; it is an investment in a stable foundation for people’s lives, health and futures. But it’s also a practical solution to a pressing problem. If we don’t deliver more social homes, it will ramp up the financial pressures on local authorities that are already struggling to cope with local demand.”

Shelter Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to increase funding to build or acquire new social homes and develop a clear national strategy. The charity says social homes must be placed at the heart of housing policy in Wales.

The Welsh Government has committed to delivering 20,000 new social homes by the end of 2026, but Shelter Cymru and its partners say this will not be enough.

Alicja Zalesinska, Chief Executive of Tai Pawb and a leader of the “Back the Bill” campaign, said: “The positive steps from Welsh Government aimed at meeting people’s housing needs clearly fall short of the fundamental change necessary to address the housing emergency.

“I have no doubt that this need for change is felt deeply by the 170,000 people on the waiting lists, who simply cannot wait 35 years for their housing situation to be resolved.

“That’s why the Back the Bill coalition believes that addressing the housing crisis must be a central mission for the government—and it can only be achieved by hardwiring this commitment into Welsh legislation by introducing the right to a good home.”

Shelter Cymru is working with the Bevan Foundation to campaign for long-term reforms to the social housing system and boost the supply of affordable homes.

*Name changed to protect identity.

A CALL to convert a former pigsty and a Pembrokeshire farm outbuilding into holiday lets providing accommodation “to meet the needs of the modern tourist” has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Morgan of Fenton Home Farm, near Crundale, Haverfordwest sought permission for farm diversification to create two additional holiday cottages, with four units already in operation, with a replacement pigsty and caravan.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd said: “The proposed additional holiday units are situated within a complex that currently has planning permission for four holiday units, namely Garden Cottage, Blueberry Cottage, Cowslip Cottage and Meadow View Cottage. The site is accessed off an existing track to Fenton Home Farm from the minor county road that runs between Crundale and Wiston.”

It added: “This is a full application to change the use of two stone barns to self-catering holiday units (partly in retrospect).  No extensions are proposed other than cosmetic improvements. The main house, Fenton Home Farm, has operated four holiday lets for many years, as well as long term lets. As such the proposal is intended to extend and complement the existing holiday letting business.”

The statement says the first unit proposed was” a simple stone barn /pigsty with corrugated metal roof,” now renovated to afford comfortable living spaces inside; the second unit a stone barn, currently open to the elements and without a roof.

“This application makes effective and efficient use of existing buildings that is no longer required for agricultural storage purposes.  Making use of existing building reduces the need for further development in the countryside to the benefit of the local environment.  The units will provide holiday accommodation to meet the needs of the modern tourist.  The social benefits of providing holiday accommodation for visitors to Pembrokeshire is combined with the economic advantages of supplementing the holiday business income from Fenton Home Farm.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The additional two holiday lets would be seen in context with the farm complex and converted outbuildings and is therefore considered to be of a scale and nature compatible with the location in compliance with [policy].

It says the former pigsty building “would not result in any overlooking or loss of privacy to the occupants of the main farmhouse or the converted outbuildings,” and the second let “would not result in a detrimental impact on residential amenity,” and the scale and design of the building “would be in keeping with the character of the site and farm complex”.

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Nestlé bottling plant was given the once over by local MP Henry Tufnell this week when he visited the Waters & Premium Beverages bottling site in Princes Gate near Narberth.

The visit marked Tufnell’s first visit to the factory since his appointment as MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire in July, 2024.

He met factory manager Matthew Faulkner, and engaged with staff, learning about the company’s commitment to stewarding water resources and helping to regenerate local water cycles.  He also learned about the plant’s operations, sustainability initiatives and its on-going commitment to local employment.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Tufnell to our factory,” commented Matthew Faulkner, “as his visit provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce our team and showcase our factory and what we do.

“We take pride in being part of the local community and are committed to supporting local initiatives and helping create a positive water impact locally.”

The workforce at the bottling site consists of more than 120 employees, including specialists in production, warehouse operations, quality, safety, and water management, with the majority residing within a 20-mile radius of the factory.