7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Tackling Homelessness

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:40 pm on 23 October 2019.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 6:40, 23 October 2019

Neil started with a walk through the streets of Cardiff, and I think that's a very evocative and appropriate way to start. I think the third sector are vital partners coming up with some good solutions. I don't have great sympathy with your remarks on that side of things, but I did think that tone of reminding us, really, of our own capital city was important.

Leanne, I didn't mention uncooperativeness, which I should have, actually, in my speech. So, I think you did put your finger there on a real policy challenge and flaw in the current housing legislation, and all the groups tell us that. I do agree that it is the housing shortage, however that's come about, that has driven a lot of the challenges we face in terms of homelessness. You then made some very sharp comments about the benefits system; several other Members did, including the Minister, who specifically quoted the local housing allowance. Now, I think we would benefit from a whole debate on this and how it has affected this vital area we're responsible for—housing policy and homelessness. Obviously, we don't set benefits policy, but it clearly has to be assessed on how it has impacted on the most vulnerable, and I think we do need to have a real good examination of this, and I think some of the points that were made were perhaps not entirely based on accurate analysis at the moment. But we should be open to it; that is definitely the criteria to judge any reform.

Suzy mentioned that any rights approach needed to focus on the enforceability of rights, and I thought that was an interesting point—I completely agree—and then talked about the need for post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Act, which would then bring into play things like uncooperativeness. So, I thought that was an important contribution.

Mike, it's always a pleasure to listen to you in terms of housing and related issues because you have a wealth of experience, and a generosity of heart, if I may say so, in terms of welcoming ideas wherever you find them, and the whole range of homelessness—the different types of homelessness, from inappropriate to housing to sleeping on the streets, and the lack of affordable housing, which I know is a real passion that you have. That is really something we need to unite on and put right.

Mark gave us a really historical analysis, including the approach in the early Assembly and his contributions, and talked about hidden homelessness in particular, which I thought was really key. This problem has been around a long time—we all own it I think is the honest answer.

Caroline talked about the right to a roof over your head—that's the way I want to term it as well—and welcomed our action plan and the role a tsar might play.

Mohammad then: we're the fifth richest group, and I think that is something always to bear in mind when many of our citizens don't have such a basic right as housing. You made the point—I don't think anyone else made this—that rough-sleepers often do not want to, for various reasons that I completely understand, access emergency hostels.

John I thought made an excellent contribution as the Chair of the local government and housing committee, and was generous enough to balance his remarks with quite sharp criticism, but then also with where he thought that we were making a valuable contribution. He welcomed the human rights approach and then talked about things like assertive outreach, which we're not always comfortable about, but it is something that's raised with us and is important.

Then Mandy I thought made the most powerful speech in many ways, because you were generous again in reflecting on your own experience as a 15-year-old, and goodness knows the thought of someone at 15 in that situation—inadequate housing, imposing yourself on friends or going back to a family situation that was truly wretched for you. I'm sure there are many people that would have heard that who have been in that situation, or even experiencing it now, and would get great support at least from knowing that someone in our Chamber has had such direct experience of this issue. The position of veterans I think is really key and, as I said, earlier this week I was looking at that in Pontypridd. And, again, you endorse the housing first approach. And I do welcome the Minister's response in saying that we should make this a shared agenda. We should cherish all good ideas and use them. And, again, you were kind enough to balance your remarks with those areas where you do feel that our side have more to answer for than perhaps you feel has been raised this afternoon. But I think the general constructiveness is a good foundation for us to ensure that we debate this subject often in all its intricacies. I thank you for you indulgence, Deputy Llywydd.