Siân Gwenllian sets out plans for Unnos, a statutory right to adequate housing and rent controls as priorities for new Senedd term

The Welsh housing minister has confirmed plans to press ahead with the establishment of Unnos, the arm’s length housebuilding agency proposed in Plaid Cymru’s pre-election manifesto.

siân-gwenllian-ms-as

Siân Gwenllian, Welsh cabinet minister for local government, housing and planning

The Homes England-style body would work with local authorities and social landlords to support the party’s pledge to build 20,000 new social homes by 2030. It will be responsible for land assembly and speeding up planning consents, as well as developing local and national supply chains.

Speaking at the Senedd yesterday (9 June), Siân Gwenllian announced several interventions as part of the cabinet’s priorities for local government, housing and planning.

She said: ”I am determined to turn ambition into action, to deliver the homes that people need, along with the resilient public services that communities rely on.” 

She said she plans to bring forward proposals to legislate for the right to adequate housing, which would focus on “addressing homelessness, ensuring housing costs better reflect local incomes, supporting community ownership and helping young people to remain in their communities.”

The implementation of a package of measures to protect private renters, including rent controls, alongside a review of the warm homes programme within the first 100 days of leadership were also announced.

CIH Cymru said it would “urge caution” when considering any form of rent controls, warning against a risk of “unintended consequences” such as “reducing supply and distorting the market over time.”

Meanwhile, a community right to buy bill would “make it easier” to bring assets including buildings and land for housing under community ownership, according to the minister.

Gwenllian also said she will establish a town centre taskforce within Plaid’s first 100 days to support the development of residential properties in town centres.

“We need to reduce bureaucracy and processes and focus on delivery, making sure that we work together to make the best use of funding, and we need to empower local government to use its core funding better,” she said.

Topics