The Welsh government’s investment in homelessness has potential with the right strategy

The Welsh government recently reported that the number of households assessed as homeless increased by 7% from 2022 to 2023, with almost 12,500 households finding themselves in this situation. There was also a 25% increase in households identified as unintentionally homeless and in priority need, with over 5,000 falling into this category.

Many of these people are already being supported by housing associations across Wales. The largest misconception when we say “homeless” is that this means sleeping rough. However, it often means people are sofa-surfing, staying in temporary accommodation (which, in many cases, is a hotel room), or living in their cars.

As a housing association, we have a responsibility to support our tenants as best we can. Of course we want to provide a safe, warm home, but we also want to provide well-being advice alongside practical guidance on how to juggle incoming and outgoing costs.

This is why we developed an all-year, in-house money advice service, offering guidance on managing debt, rent and benefits, as well as signposting people to additional funding sources that are available.

We have experienced an exceptional need for this service over the past 12 months. So far in 2023-24, our community inclusion coaches have opened 275 support cases, and our money advisor has opened over 140 money advice cases. There has also been a big increase in tenants coming to us for emergency food and fuel vouchers.   

“We developed an all-year, in-house money advice service, offering guidance on managing debt, rent and benefits, as well as signposting people to additional funding sources that are available”

A key concern of ours is the substantial lack of suitable homes. We believe that this should be a focus for the investment of funds. Hundreds of new homes are being developed across Cardiff, particularly in the north of the city, but very few meet the needs of the people who are most vulnerable. Many of the homes are too expensive for people on a low income and are unsuitable for those requiring specialist support due to poor physical and mental health.

We recognise that increasing the number of affordable homes quickly is a priority for the Welsh government. As an organisation, we are trying to address the housing shortage both by improving existing properties, as well as developing new affordable homes for families and single people.

However, the process to achieve planning permission can be very lengthy, complicated and time-consuming, with sometimes no positive outcomes. If the planning process could be streamlined, more housing associations could support the council in providing more affordable homes.

Aside from the homes themselves, we would like to see the support process itself improved. The current referral process is too long and complicated. Due to the priority-need test, it often fails to capture people who are vulnerable to becoming homeless and in need of support to prevent this, rather dealing with people who are already homeless. 

We need to ensure the system reaches people before they are at crisis point. I therefore feel the priority-need test should be removed, to capture those vulnerable and at risk of becoming homeless.

“The current referral process is too long and complicated. Due to the priority-need test, it often fails to capture people who are vulnerable to becoming homeless and in need of support to prevent this”

Furthermore, the support offered to people in priority need currently only stands at 56 days. I believe this is far too short for many people to improve their situation and regain financial independence, as well as mental and physical well-being. I think this needs to be extended to at least six months.

Finally, we have experienced an increase in the number of referrals from Cardiff Council for our supported accommodation for young people and young parents. Our feeling is that there just aren’t sufficient services for young people. Taff supports many 17-year-olds who have outgrown the system for children but do not meet the criteria for young adult support, yet are extremely vulnerable.

I know there is discussion about allowing a 16-17-year-old to take on a supported rental agreement. Under the right circumstances and with the right support from social services, we think this could be a great way of bridging the gap for this group of vulnerable people.

At the end of the day, the solution to the problem of homelessness across Wales is not straightforward. It is very complex, and there is no simple answer.  However, having somewhere to call home is something everyone deserves to have, and we are passionate about making that happen.

We will be campaigning for what we believe needs addressing and will endeavour to be part of the conversation to shape future changes to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless.