Building new council homes at a time of unprecedented demand for housing and homelessness services remains paramount for Cardiff Council over the coming year.
In its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for 2024/25, the authority sets out the key priorities for its wide range of Housing services, helping to deliver the strategic commitments set out in the Council’s ‘Stronger Fairer Greener’ vision.
Following an extremely challenging year in which the Council declared a housing emergency due toexceptional pressures and unabating demand for homelessness services,delivering more affordable housing at scale and pace is at the top of the list to address the significant levels of need.
An ambitious development programme that will ultimately deliver more than 4,000 new homes over the next 10 years reached the 1,000 new council homes milestone in 2023, with the Council’s stock now up to 14,000 homes across the city.
Work to increase the number of sites within the development programme is ongoing, to ensure the delivery of 2,800 council homes and 1,200 homes for sale.
Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: “Our award-winning programme currently represents one of the largest council housing build projects in Wales and will see more than £1billion invested into delivering affordable homes in the city that not only tackle housing need but are sustainable and energy efficient – affordable to run for residents and also kind to the planet.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved to date but given the current circumstances when we are using hotels in the city to make sure homeless families and individuals have a roof over their heads, we must go further and faster.”
Dealing with homelessness features heavily in the plan, both in terms of preventing households from losing their home and alleviating homelessness when it does happen.
The rapid installation of modular homes at the Gasworks site in Grangetown to support homeless families demonstrates the innovative solutions the Council is utilising to increase temporary accommodation while the alignment of Housing Solutions, Homelessness Prevention and Advice services now provide a complete package of help and support to people who are experiencing homelessness issues.
Delivering housing that meets the needs and aspirations of older people is a key ambition. Last December saw the launch of Addison House, the first of ten new-build Community Living Schemes in the Council’s plans which represent a £200m investment to build at least 620 new apartments for older people, promoting independent living and reducing the need for expensive care home placements.
While increasing the supply of council houses in Cardiff is essential, maintaining current stock is also of the highest importance so that properties are safe, warm and comfortable for tenants. A predicted £14m will have been spent on existing homes in 2023/24 including new roofing, new kitchens and boilers, and fire safety improvements like the recladding of high-rise flats blocks.
Over the next year and beyond, there will be a strong emphasis on the Council’s efforts to address the decarbonisation of its stock to meet the requirements of the new Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023.
The plan also outlines how the Council is committed to improving neighbourhoods in the city via the Estate Regeneration Programme and provide safe and inclusive communities. Tenants will continue to be supported through the cost-of-living crisis and have access to the excellent services on offer in the Hubs, helping them to stay connected to their communities and improving their health and wellbeing.
Cardiff’s plan for 2024/25 will be considered by Cabinet on Thursday March 21.
