Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As a declaration of interest, I would like to refer Members and members of the public to my own register of interests.

Minister, the deepening homelessness crisis in Wales is devastating and isolating for far too many in our society. In 2019, 12,399 households were assessed as homeless, that being a 79.9 per cent increase on 2015-16. The latest data shows there were 6,935 people in temporary accommodation at the end of September 2021, of which 1,742 were dependent children. Whilst I recognise that you do triumph the new £30 million funding pot over five years for local authorities under the private rented sector leasing scheme, the fact of the matter is that this follows a five-year freeze to the HSG budget, which has exacerbated homelessness issues. 

Indeed, in its inquiry into rough-sleeping, the Senedd's Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee—and I was on it during that time—found that the lack of long-term, sustainable funding as a potential barrier to preventing and tackling rough-sleeping. Minister, first I wish to ask whether you are in a position today to amend section 2 of your high-level action table to ring-fence the increase to the housing support grant for at least three years so that long-term certainty can be provided to housing providers and homelessness prevention services.

We welcome the fact you are now acting on the Welsh Conservatives' calls for a housing first model in Wales, which works by giving people safe, clean housing immediately, whatever their needs, and giving them wraparound support. However, adequate housing is being increasingly replaced by temporary stays in B&B establishments and hotel rooms—and placing vulnerable residents in hotel rooms, having to be there whilst other families are visiting. As well as this being wholly unsuitable for the well-being of those made homeless, it is also unsustainable for the public purse. I have also got constituents in my constituency of Aberconwy who have been in temporary accommodation for 18 months; I don't know how anyone can describe that as temporary.

In FOI replies obtained by my office in the year 2021, Bridgend County Borough Council spent £1,266,253 on B&B-type accommodation. Rhondda Cynon Taf say they spent £0.5 million on such accommodation. In contrast, Public Health Wales estimates that housing first models for homeless individuals with complex needs returned £3.60 for every £1 spent, and every £1 invested in moving people out of homelessness generates £2.80 in benefits. So, it is a no-brainer. 

So, Minister, will you clarify what recent discussions you have undertaken with housing associations and local authorities under the housing first network to determine new indicators that could identify suitable properties that could be used to provide housing?

We know that approximately 67,000 people in Wales languish on a social housing waiting list for up to 18 months, which is roughly equivalent to around 20,000 households. These statistics underline that the homelessness crisis could continue to deepen if action is not taken now. And again, I wish to implore you as the Minister responsible to take urgent steps to help bring empty properties back into use for people at risk of homelessness.

The schemes that you're flagshipping today, the £25,000 incentive for landlords to bring their property back, that's been available, but how many local authorities—? Minister, can you tell us today how many local authorities have used it? According to the FOI replies that I referenced earlier, in 2020, Cardiff Council gave out only two Houses into Homes empty homes loans, Newport City Council shockingly gave out just one.

Minister, given that your statement says that you wish to strengthen links between local authorities and the private sector, can you commit to undertaking further discussions with local authorities to review how to increase the profile and successful application rate of the empty homes loans scheme?

I wish to conclude by making clear my ambition to see the appointment of a homelessness commissioner for Wales. Ideally, someone who actually has immense experience in this field. Recognsing that a Housing Support National Advisory Board has been established, I would envisage that this commissioner would head such a council to help co-ordinate and deliver outcome monitoring and strategy. As actions 13 and 14 of the plan get under way, Minister—