THE WELSH Liberal Democrats have called for stronger action to tackle homelessness in Wales, warning that the number of people relying on temporary accommodation has remained largely unchanged for more than two years.

The party cited the latest figures showing 10,818 people were living in temporary accommodation, with 1,287 occurrences of people being placed into temporary accommodation in October 2025.

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the figures showed that existing policy was not delivering meaningful improvement.

She said: “These numbers have barely changed in over two years and homeless people are being let down by consecutive Welsh Governments. Legislation by itself is meaningless unless the Welsh Government also [backs it with the resources and action needed].”

Ms Dodds added: “We must help these hidden victims of the cost-of-living crisis who have been ignored by those in Cardiff Bay for far too long.”

The party said it would seek to address the situation through a major expansion of social housing, proposing the construction of 30,000 new social homes for rent.

Ms Dodds said: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats would build 30,000 new social homes for rent, ensuring that people on low incomes or with experience of homelessness can access a safe and secure home.”

Focus on rural pressures

The comments come amid growing concern about the pressures faced by councils across Wales, with rising demand for emergency accommodation and increasing costs to local authorities.

Sandra Jervis, the party’s lead candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said rural areas faced particular challenges and claimed Ceredigion’s figures highlighted systemic issues.

She said: “The fact that Ceredigion has the highest number of homeless people in Wales outside of Cardiff shows the failure of our Plaid-led local authority.”

Ms Jervis added: “Rural homelessness presents unique challenges beyond the scarcity of homes, with a combination of poverty and inaccessibility to jobs and other services accumulating into a dreadful sense of isolation from the rest of society.”

Housing campaigners have previously warned that rural homelessness can be less visible than in cities, with people more likely to “sofa surf”, live in insecure private rentals, or face long distances to access support services — factors that can make the problem harder to identify and resolve quickly.

The Welsh Government has previously pointed to its homelessness prevention approach and housing investment programmes, while councils continue to warn that demand is outstripping supply — particularly for larger family homes and genuinely affordable rental properties.

UK-WIDE hospitality company Loungers could soon have one of their café bars based at a recently closed Tenby seafront bar and restaurant.

Loungers, founded in 2002, runs family-friendly Lounge café bars across the UK – including the Cofio Lounge at the Guildhall, Carmarthen, and the Waldo Lounge at Haverfordwest’s Riverside.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bristol-based Loungers UK Limited, through agent Richard Pedlar Architects, seeks permission for the installation of new fascia signage and a new totem sign including a menu board at Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, Battery Road, Tenby.

Illustrations for the signage application show the Loungers signage, bearing the name ‘Lansio Lounge’ in the Loungers font, Lansio translating from Welsh to ‘launch’.

Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, a family-run venue based in Tenby, announced its closure on social media, confirming that Sunday, January 4 was its final day of trading.

The Loungers application is only for the signage, any Lounge restaurant scheme unlikely to need approval as the existing location was a similar business, avoiding any need for a change of use application.

Tenby Town Council is recommending approval for the signage, but the park’s buildings conservation officer Rob Scourfield is recommending refusal for the proposals, in the town’s conservation area.

“Section 160 of the Historic Environment (Wales) Act requires that when considering planning applications, special attention must be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area.

“As a rule of thumb, we have no allowed internally illuminated signage within the CA, despite pressure to do so. The employment of discrete externally-lit signage would be preferable – as submitted however, the proposal will have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

Loungers has been contacted about the proposals and its future plans.

The application will be considered at a later date.

A CALL to convert vacant office space, which was once an HSBC bank, to a ‘welcoming social space’ café in the centre of Pembrokeshire’s only city has been approved.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Rhiannon Barwick sought permission for a change of use of Old Bank House, 18a Cross Square, St Davids to a café, including the installation of a new side accessible access door and ramp, and creation of outdoor seating area to the rear of the building.

The office space in St Davids’ conservation area has been vacant since the 2022; a 2013 application change for a change of use from the former bank approved previously, the last use of the building as a holiday cottage agency.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The premises has remained vacant and is located within the defined Retail Centre of St Davids. As local people ourselves, we’re passionate about supporting the St Davids community in every way we can — not just by offering a welcoming social space, but by getting involved and hosting activities like a run club.

“We understand what St Davids’ needs to thrive, and we’re committed to being an active, positive part of that.  We’d like to open from 7.30am, as there are currently no other cafés open at that time, and it offers a great opportunity to support early commuters.

“We plan to serve homemade pastries, offering a treat that no other café in St Davids currently provides. We plan to stay open until around 3pm, with additional evening events to host and support local clubs and community activities.”

It added: “In the central area of St Davids, there are currently only two active sit-in cafés, with all others operating on a takeaway-only basis — highlighting a clear need for a welcoming, community-focused space like ours.

“While most other cafes in St Davids are focused on the tourism trade, we would like to focus on both the tourism trade and the growing St Davids Community, by staying open all year round.”

The application was supported by St Davids City Council.

An officer report recommending approval said: “There are no concerns in relation to the impact upon the special qualities of the Park, nor in relation to the character or appearance of the conservation area, or nearby listed buildings. The recommendation is to grant permission subject to suitably worded conditions.”

The application was conditionally approved.