Written statement (Wales) on Rural Housing - Dec 4

Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government: I am pleased to confirm the publication today of the Rural Housing Action Guide for Wales.

The guide serves as a resource for local authorities, social landlords, housing professionals,

communities and other partners involved in housing development.

More specifically, it offers insights, strategies, case studies and practical tools to enhance the supply of affordable and sustainable housing in rural Wales.

It provides a comprehensive framework to understand and tackle the unique and complex challenges of rural housing.

Furthermore, I am also pleased to confirm that the 2026-27 Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) programme bidding round is underway, with £183,600 of funding in total set aside for utilisation.

RHEs have an important role in working with partners, including planners, community and town councils as well as housing associations to assist in the delivery of affordable housing for local communities. Many of the homes delivered by RHE partners to date have also contributed to our target of an additional 20,000 low-carbon homes for rent in the social sector.