Ambitious plans to end homelessness in Wales will move forward
today when key details of policy and legislative reform are
introduced to the Senedd.
On World Homelessness Day (Tuesday, October 10), Climate Change
Minister will introduce a White Paper
that sets out how the Welsh Government plans to end homelessness
in Wales.
Reforming housing law is a key part of the Programme for
Government (2021-2026) and the Co-operation Agreement with
Plaid Cymru to end all forms of homelessness in Wales, by making
it ‘rare, brief and unrepeated’.
The proposals focus on improving prevention and early
intervention, through the introduction of a package of reforms to
create significant change to the existing Welsh homelessness and
housing system.
Through legislative reform, the Welsh Government says:
- The risk of homelessness will be prevented at the earliest
possible stage and responsibility for identification and
prevention will be shared across the Welsh public service;
- Local Housing Authorities will offer a person-centred,
trauma-informed service that is led by the needs of those facing
homelessness;
- Those most likely to be impacted by homelessness will benefit
from bespoke proposals to mitigate their risk.
The White Paper is heavily based on the findings of an
Independent Expert Review Panel who were asked to review existing
legislation and make recommendations to the Welsh
Government. As part of this review, over 350 people with
lived experience of homelessness have shared their views to help
develop the proposals.
Minister for Climate Change said: “Everyone in Wales should
have somewhere to call home and today we’re marking a new chapter
to help people remain in their homes and prevent anyone in Wales
from experiencing homelessness.”
“I would like to thank the Expert Review Panel whose report has
helped shape our White Paper. Their recommendations will truly
help to end homelessness here in Wales.
“I also want to thank the more than 350 people who shared their
own experiences to help shape our reforms and ensure they are
grounded in the reality of homelessness.
“This White Paper delivers our long-held view that homelessness
is not just a housing issue.
“It sets out a radical and ambitious plan to ensure all services
work together to spot the risk of homelessness early and take
action to stop it from happening.
“For those who remain at risk, services will be co-ordinated in
their response; to ensure the right help is in place, delivered
by the right people, at the right time.
Designated Member, added: “This White Paper
sets out new proposals to end homelessness so that everyone has a
home they can all their own and never finds themselves homeless.
“We are committed to new legal reforms and ways of working that
will make a real difference to people’s lives and improve how we
support some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
Director of Support at Pobl, Nick Taylor, said: “We welcome the
introduction of the White Paper to the Senedd today on World
Homelessness Day. As the largest provider of support services in
Wales for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, Pobl
supports multi-agency working with a preventative trauma informed
focus ensuring intervention is received at the earliest
opportunity.”
