Landlord to build 300 homes under strategy to promote Welsh language and repopulate rural areas

Welsh housing association Grŵp Cynefin has revealed plans to deliver 300 homes in north Wales by 2028. 

The social landlord’s building ambitions form part of its newly-launched corporate plan to increase affordable housing stock, boost the local economy, support the Welsh language and decarbonise thousands of existing homes.

Over the past year, £12m has been spent on retrofitting more than 400 properties under the strategy, which was renamed “A Place to Belong” from “More Than Housing”. Mel Evans, the provider’s chief executive, said the change was made to emphasise inclusivity.

He said: “The need for affordable housing is huge. There are more people in temporary accommodation in Wales than there have ever been. Traditionally, they used to be mainly single people, but research shows that there are now more families as well as young people.

“Our mission is to build much needed homes in our traditional communities, support the Welsh language and enable people to remain in their own communities.

“Depopulation in these areas has been problem for decades and our aim is to work with our partners, like local councils, to stem that tide of people moving away.”

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The housing association regained compliancy last year following a self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing in which it received downgraded ratings for governance and financial viability standards.

Evans described the landlord’s housebuilding ambitions as “a reasonable objective for an organisation of our size” and said it plans to utilise local supply chains and smaller contractors where possible and provide young people with work opportunities and apprenticeships.

He also added that Denbigh-based Grŵp Cynefin “works through the medium of Welsh” and intends to promote the language in rural areas.

The organisation, which turned 10 last year, is the result of a merger between housing associations Tai Clwyd and Tai Eryri and owns around 5,000 homes across the six counties of north Wales and north Powys.

It also has two subsidiary companies, Canllaw and Conwy and Denbighshire Care & Repair, which help older homeowners and tenants in private sector housing to live independently.

Its decarbonisation programme will be delivered in partnership with the Welsh government and includes the installation of solar panels, air source heat pumps, better insulation and new windows.

Grŵp Cynefin recently appointed a new training and education officer to encourage career progression for its staff.