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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Affordable homes shortage fears | Affordable homes shortage fears |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Two housing bodies have said Wales is short of about 40,000 affordable homes. | Two housing bodies have said Wales is short of about 40,000 affordable homes. |
| The Home Builders Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru said fewer new homes were being built in Wales than at any time since WWII. | The Home Builders Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru said fewer new homes were being built in Wales than at any time since WWII. |
| They criticised the assembly government and local authorities over the planning process and house-building policies. | They criticised the assembly government and local authorities over the planning process and house-building policies. |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said it had raised spending on social housing. The Welsh Local Government Association called their views "simplistic". | The Welsh Assembly Government said it had raised spending on social housing. The Welsh Local Government Association called their views "simplistic". |
| The two housing bodies blamed rocketing house prices for making life difficult for many first-time buyers. | The two housing bodies blamed rocketing house prices for making life difficult for many first-time buyers. |
| They said they had identified a chronic shortage of affordable homes and claimed that affordable housing - which are part-owned or with subsidies available to buyers - was the only option for many people. | They said they had identified a chronic shortage of affordable homes and claimed that affordable housing - which are part-owned or with subsidies available to buyers - was the only option for many people. |
| We have to find a balance between those who want to buy their own properties and those communities who would be aghast at a complete loosening of planning guidelines Aled Roberts, the Welsh Local Government Association | We have to find a balance between those who want to buy their own properties and those communities who would be aghast at a complete loosening of planning guidelines Aled Roberts, the Welsh Local Government Association |
| The two organisations said the planning system was too time-consuming and that not enough land was made available for development. | The two organisations said the planning system was too time-consuming and that not enough land was made available for development. |
| Richard Price, a planning and policy advisor with the Home Builders Federation for Wales, said: "It seems bleak at the moment, we've got a very big affordable housing crisis. | Richard Price, a planning and policy advisor with the Home Builders Federation for Wales, said: "It seems bleak at the moment, we've got a very big affordable housing crisis. |
| "Considering the fact that the areas that are most attractive to investment are planning a reduction in house-building doesn't really do us any favours. | "Considering the fact that the areas that are most attractive to investment are planning a reduction in house-building doesn't really do us any favours. |
| "And it just looks as if it's going to get worse unless we really do something to tackle these problems." | "And it just looks as if it's going to get worse unless we really do something to tackle these problems." |
| Eight people queued overnight for the sale of these ex-military homes | Eight people queued overnight for the sale of these ex-military homes |
| Kellie Beirne, of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said the blame lay with the assembly government, although local authorities also had a part to play. | Kellie Beirne, of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said the blame lay with the assembly government, although local authorities also had a part to play. |
| "The population is increasing and more households are forming, but the average size of these households is declining," she added. | |
| In response, Councillor Aled Roberts, the Welsh Local Government Association's spokesperson for housing, said: "What they are saying about affordable housing is simplistic. | In response, Councillor Aled Roberts, the Welsh Local Government Association's spokesperson for housing, said: "What they are saying about affordable housing is simplistic. |
| "Some developers claim that the imposition of affordable homes is detrimental to them. | "Some developers claim that the imposition of affordable homes is detrimental to them. |
| "The Town and Country Planning Act is there so that there is no indiscriminate building. | "The Town and Country Planning Act is there so that there is no indiscriminate building. |
| 'Aghast' | 'Aghast' |
| "We have to find a balance between those who want to buy their own properties and those communities who would be aghast at a complete loosening of planning guidelines. | "We have to find a balance between those who want to buy their own properties and those communities who would be aghast at a complete loosening of planning guidelines. |
| "We need to look at the supply of housing. There is an issue with the number of empty properties which need to be brought back into circulation. | "We need to look at the supply of housing. There is an issue with the number of empty properties which need to be brought back into circulation. |
| "There is the issue of pressure on the system caused by the buy-to-let sector." | "There is the issue of pressure on the system caused by the buy-to-let sector." |
| In a statement, the Welsh Assembly Government said it had increased investment in the social housing by 72% since 2004/05 and planned to invest a further £450m. | In a statement, the Welsh Assembly Government said it had increased investment in the social housing by 72% since 2004/05 and planned to invest a further £450m. |
| It read: "We have also adopted a protocol for the disposal of assembly government-owned land to aid the development of affordable housing." | It read: "We have also adopted a protocol for the disposal of assembly government-owned land to aid the development of affordable housing." |
| Eight people have queued overnight to prepare for the sale of 14 former Ministry of Defence homes at Annington Green, on Deeside. | Eight people have queued overnight to prepare for the sale of 14 former Ministry of Defence homes at Annington Green, on Deeside. |
| The homes, which at £112,950 which are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, are secured with a down payment of £250. | The homes, which at £112,950 which are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, are secured with a down payment of £250. |