The Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee is undertaking an inquiry into homelessness in Wales.
In January 2022, the committee wrote to a number of stakeholders, including The Wallich, to share views on the current situation in the housing sector, and ask a number of specific questions.
The committee was at that time interested in;
- The “everyone in” approach to homelessness brought in during the pandemic.
- The apparent increase in the number of people sleeping rough.
- Our response to the Welsh Government’s Ending Homelessness in Wales: a high level action plan 2021-2026.
- Allocations in the draft budget for 2022-23.
- Priority areas for the green paper on reforms to housing legislation.
- Our response to the Public Services Ombudsman’s report Homelessness Reviewed: an open door to positive change.
After further investigations throughout the spring and summer, the committee agreed a terms of reference for their inquiry.
The Committee has agreed to examine:
- The supply, suitability and quality of temporary accommodation currently being used to house people experiencing homelessness and the support services made available to them;
- The impact living in temporary accommodation has on individuals and families;
- The impact of the ongoing demand for temporary accommodation and support services on local authorities, their partners and communities;
- Options to increase the supply of affordable and appropriate housing in the short to medium term to reduce the use of temporary accommodation;
- Progress implementing Ending Homelessness in Wales: A high level action plan 2021-2026, and in particular the move towards a rapid rehousing approach.
The Committee once again wrote to stakeholders, to provide up to date evidence on the current position across homelessness services.
We were also invited to give evidence to the committee in person, at their meeting on 24 November.
Thomas Hollick, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator at The Wallich attended the Senedd to answer questions from members of the committee, alongside other representatives from the sector, including Cymorth Cymru, The Salvation Army, and Nacro
