Welsh social landlord hits back at false information about who it houses

A housing association has put out a strongly worded statement responding to “false and misleading information online” regarding its housing projects, making it clear that 19 out every 20 homes allocated goes to people with “strong local ties”.

Welsh social landlord Trivallis, which has 10,000 homes in Rhondda Cynon Taff and Cardiff Bay, responded in a detailed statement to “false” allegations about its housing projects in Tonyrefail, Mitchell Court, Tonypandy, and Penrhys. 

In January the landlord announced a series of development projects which became the subject of misinformation on social media.

Housing Today has seen posts on Facebook in which false allegations are made that properties being developed for social housing will be used to house illegal immigrants and that people who aren’t from the local area will be prioritised for social housing.

In its statement Trivallis said that its homes are allocated by Rhondda Cynon Taff Council through the RCT Homefinder system with priority given to “people in greatest need, such as those who are homeless, have severe health problems, or are leaving care or hospital” or ex members of the Armed Forces who have become homeless. 

The statement reads: “The housing register does not prioritise people just because they are ‘local’ but because they are in most urgent need of a home. Allocating homes to people who need them most is fairer because it ensures that those facing serious challenges, like poor health, disability, or homelessness, get the support they urgently require.

It adds: “While being local is important, meeting basic needs like safety, health, and stability should come first. This approach helps create a more compassionate and supportive community for everyone.”

Trivallis states that in the last year 90% of people in Rhondda Cynon Taff who were allocated social housing were already living locally, while a further 6% had a local connection through work or family.

>>See also: Trivallis halves housing officer patch sizes

In April, a Facebook post in which Trivallis announced it had bought The Willows in Perthcelyn, a former nursing home, which had been empty for several years became the source of a slew of inaccurate claims.

More recently, Trivallis’s planning activities regarding Mitchell Court, Tonypandy, became the source of comment on Facebook. Last week the housing association submitted plans for 50 affordable homes on the site of the former Conservative Club, with a decision from the local authority’s planning committee expected on Thursday.

Trivallis is also currently developing the Penrhys estate, originally built in the 1980s. The first phase of development includes around 123 modern homes, some for social rent to current residents and some for sale. Over the next 10 years, Trivallis intends to build up to 1,000 homes as well as a new primary school on the site.

Trivallis’s statement also responded to misunderstandings expressed on Facebook over the planning process. It wrote: “Like everyone, we must pay planning application fees to the Council to cover the cost they incur in dealing with and deciding on our planning applications. 

“Almost all developers make legal payments to the council after a site is built. These are used by the council to pay for local services on new estates such as bin collections, playgrounds and road repairs. The payments are tightly regulated and properly controlled.

Separately, a South Wales Police statement was released last week regarding the privately-owned Gordon Hotel in Gelli, also in Rhondda. A police spokesman described the hotel’s current residents as “contracted construction workers”, adding: “It’s important that we address misinformation and dispel rumours as this ensures that the local community is informed with accurate information.”