Contact/Cyswllt: Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Under pressure from Mick Bates this week, Rhodri Morgan First Minister for Wales promised that the affordable housing issue would soon be addressed by a legislative measure - a ray of light for Mick’s continuing campaign for affordable housing.

Montgomeryshire AM challenged the First Minister in plenary over the need for more affordable housing to secure a sustainable future for rural Wales.

Figures for 2006 show that Welsh house prices are 6.28% times the average full-time pay. This ratio is higher in the 9 authorities classed as rural – in Powys the ratio is 7.95%, in Monmouthshire 9.48% and Ceredigion 9.45%.

Commenting Mick said: ““Wales is fast becoming a two-tier economy as the gap between average earnings and house prices ever increases.

“There is clearly a huge lack of affordable housing in rural Wales – this is driving away the younger generation who have no chance of scaling the property ladder. Outward migration in turn affects our local services who cannot survive without support and this is leading to serious decline in our communities.

“New housing must meet environmental standards if we are to meet sustainable development targets and the reduction of emissions that contribute to climate change. However this housing must be affordable if it is to benefit the areas of rural Wales that are in desperate need of support.

“I would like to praise the work of Montgomeryshire manufacturer J.Richardson who created a design for affordable eco houses that are within the Affordable Cost Guidelines and achieve the BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainable design. An innovative approach to sustainable and affordable housing is the way ahead for our housing policy in Wales.

“The current housing sector in Wales must not be forgotten – this housing stock needs renovation with energy saving improvements such as home insulation and microgeneration technologies. Energy efficiency at home will help reduce domestic carbon emissions as well as making the day-to-day running of each household more affordable to the benefit of the fuel-poor in Wales.

“I still believe the best way is to let local councils build houses and to let communities own and build their own as in Castle Caerinion. We need to take real and urgent action to help solve the affordable housing crisis. It is a crime that after all these years we are still faced with an affordable housing crisis in Wales - I hope that the Labour-Plaid Government will stop dragging their heels and tackle this urgent issue now.”



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