The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has called on the UK Government to prioritise housing and homelessness services.
The cross-party organisation said its appeal came in response to the rise in people seeking council assistance with housing issues and the unprecedented number of people in emergency temporary accommodation.
The WLGA said it specifically wanted more UK Government investment in the housing support grant – funding the Welsh Government gives local authorities to spend on preventing homelessness and helping people to live in their own home or in supported housing.
The organisation acknowledged the financial constraints of the current economic climate but stressed a ‘critical need’ for the issue of funding to be addressed.
The WLGA also called on the UK Government to ‘urgently’ look at reforming the local housing allowance system to make private sector renting more affordable.
The cost of private renting has increased significantly across most of Wales in recent months and available Government support has fallen ‘way behind’ market realities, WLGA housing spokesperson Cllr Andrea Lewis said.
Ms Lewis added: ‘The WLGA remains committed to working collaboratively with Government to ensure that adequate support and solutions are in place to tackle the housing and homelessness challenges facing our communities.’
