News

Over 94,000 households in Wales waiting for a social home

Published

1 month ago

April 15, 2025

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.

Charity

Blue Lagoon to open for charity event during May half-term

Published

23 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Fundraiser to support Milford Youth Matters and celebrate community spirit

BLUESTONE’S Blue Lagoon Water Park will be opening its doors to the public for a special charity evening this May half-term – with every penny raised going to support a local youth charity.

The event, which takes place on Tuesday 27 May at 5:30pm, is part of the Bluestone Foundation’s popular community events programme. Up to 600 local residents will be welcomed to enjoy a fun-filled evening at the park, while raising funds for Milford Youth Matters – a third-sector organisation supporting young people in Pembrokeshire.

This will be the third Blue Lagoon charity event of the year. The two previous evenings raised a combined total of £7,854 for the Megan Starr Foundation in February and Fishguard and Goodwick’s POINT youth trust in April.

The Bluestone Foundation – the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort – was created in 2010 to support environmental, economic and social initiatives across the county. Through its Community Events and Community Fund schemes, it has awarded more than £250,000 to local projects to date.

Milford Youth Matters works with young people aged 11 to 25, offering vocational training, volunteering, and work-based learning opportunities alongside social activities. The charity has already supported over 500 young people across the county.

Dayle Gibby, Co-ordinator at Milford Youth Matters, said:
“We’re all about investing in young people. The support from the Bluestone Foundation means we can evolve and try new activities, reach new audiences, and remove financial barriers that often stand in the way of young people’s development.

“In recent years, we’ve developed a strong relationship with Bluestone. Many of the young people we support now work there, which is a great example of how our work is helping young people gain the skills they need for employment – right here in Pembrokeshire.”

Mike Slack from the Bluestone Foundation added:
“We’re looking forward to hosting our third charity event of the year at the Blue Lagoon. These evenings are a great opportunity for local families to enjoy themselves while supporting brilliant causes. Milford Youth Matters is a fantastic organisation, and we’re proud to help them continue their vital work.”

More information about the Bluestone Foundation can be found at:
https://www.bluestonewales.com/about-us/bluestone-foundation

Community

Welsh Government invites applications for National Park Authority posts

Published

33 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Three new members sought for Pembrokeshire Coast body

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is seeking applicants to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The Authority is responsible for protecting the landscape, encouraging public enjoyment, and supporting sustainable development within the National Park.

Members play a key role in governance, planning decisions, and setting strategic direction.

Three Ministerial appointments are due to end in the coming months, and the Welsh Government is now overseeing the recruitment of their successors. Each appointment will be for a four-year term.

To help prospective applicants understand the responsibilities involved, the Park Authority is holding a series of informal drop-in sessions:

Tuesday 20 May – Garn Fach Room, Yr Hen Ysgol, Dinas Cross, Newport SA42 0XB

Thursday 22 May – Giltar Hotel, 9 Esplanade, Tenby SA70 7DU

Monday 2 June – Online session (details at gov.wales/public-appointments)

More information and full application details are available at gov.wales/public-appointments. For further queries, email: [email protected].

Please note that this role will not be listed on Webrecruit, as applications are being handled directly by the Welsh Government.

The deadline for applications is 4:00pm on Wednesday, 12 June 2025.

News

Police appeal for dashcam footage after A477 crash

Published

46 minutes ago

May 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE vehicles were involved in a collision on a busy Pembrokeshire road the evening of Friday May 9, prompting a police appeal for dashcam footage.

The crash occurred at around 5:40pm on the A477 between Sentry Cross and Johnston, resulting in the temporary closure of the road while recovery crews cleared the scene. The road was re-opened shortly before 9:00pm.

Dyfed-Powys Police are now urging anyone who was travelling along the A477 at the time of the incident to come forward if they have relevant dashcam footage.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers are appealing for anyone who was travelling along the A477, with dash cam footage that could help them with their enquiries, to contact us via https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, email [email protected], or call 101.

“Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.”