6. Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: Homelessness

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:57 pm on 3 June 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 3:57, 3 June 2020

Thank you for that answer, Minister. It's from TPAS Cymru, the survey, which I think had 500 respondents—it was quite a high number. But I can certainly give you that reference.

I wonder if I could just clarify the expenditure position, and I do this simply so that we can have a full understanding. I'm not in any way sceptical that the resources won't match the ambition, because I genuinely think there is a determination to see the end of rough-sleeping and homelessness. But you made an announcement in early March of an increase of £10 million, and then last week another increase of £10 million, so the total amount of additional expenditure that's been announced during the lockdown now stands at a total of £20 million. I think sometimes you talk about £10 million here and then an additional £20 million, and I think the First Minister nearly slipped into this when he was talking in terms of £30 million more being spent. But I think the actual figure of the envelope is £20 million. If not, could you clarify that? The UK Government, in making similar increases in expenditure—and I'm not going to get into a comparison; it's very difficult to make it—have emphasised that they're aiming for a 37 per cent increase in revenue spending on support services for vulnerable tenants, and that's going to be a key way of keeping those in emergency accommodation at the moment, as they move into more stable housing, keeping them in that situation so they don't fall back and then end up in the streets again. I just wondered if you have a similar view.

And I welcome the phase 2 plans that now are going to be required from local authorities, and the emphasis on a rapid rehousing approach. I think that is right. But can I also point to a call by the National Residential Landlords Association, where they commend the Newport scheme, which offers six months' guaranteed rental and any repairs to be undertaken if landlords sign up to schemes where homeless people would be put into their property. And they're saying that perhaps we could make that a national plan. And it does seem that the Newport scheme has worked very well, and may be a very constructive way forward that uses the resources of the private sector, which are so extensive in providing rental accommodation, as we know.