, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Yes, absolutely. I recognise there's a particular pressure in the need for single-person accommodation, especially for move-on. All properties funded through the social housing grant must meet the needs of the local authority and be supported by the local…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
There was indeed, entirely down to the right-to-buy policy, I'm afraid, Sam.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thank you.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thanks, Carolyn. Again, at Welsh Government level, we work very closely across the piece, and there's absolutely no doubt at all that we couldn't have done what we did during the pandemic if we hadn't been working with mental health professionals and…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Apologies. Amelia, is that you? I don't know.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
I'll ask one of the officials to answer that for you, Carolyn. Sorry, my voice is really croaky now.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thanks, Jane. We've once again provided £1.9 million this financial year to support the continued development of housing first in Wales. You're absolutely right, I've been really, really impressed by the people I've spoken to who have been through the housing…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Sarah.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
I don't know which one of you wants to do it.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
I think, Jayne, if you don't mind—my voice is giving out—I'm going to ask Amelia or Sarah to explain how that works for you. Apologies, I'm really struggling this morning.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
I should just say, also, Jayne, sorry, on mortgage rescue, we have a series of discussions under way as we speak, internal to the Welsh Government, with lenders and with local authorities to make sure that we have a range of measures in place for 'mortgage…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Jayne. Yes, absolutely; Jane Hutt and I have been working very closely on a number of measures to assist people through the very acute cost-of-living crisis. So, you know that, when we announced the social rent caps here in Wales at 6.5 per cent…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
I know you're not asking for that. But it is about having the right pet in the right circumstances, isn't it? We do have some ridiculous examples of people trying to keep some pretty unsuitable pets in highly unsuitable circumstances, but I absolutely accept…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Yes, absolutely, Carolyn, and I understand what you're saying. So, we do understand it, absolutely. And the current situation, with the renting homes Act now having been implemented, is that a landlord cannot unreasonably withhold a request to have a pet. And…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
[Inaudible.]—doubt at all that a dog or other pets are a real source of companionship and support for people who are homeless, and owning one absolutely should not be a barrier to accessing temporary accommodation at all. And we are really pleased to say that…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
So, just to be clear, Mabon, that's not quite right; we haven't withdrawn the COVID fund, we've actually assimilated it into the revenue support grant. And we've put the £10 million that was being paid for direct by the Government, into the local authorities…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Mabon. Obviously, given the current pressures in the housing system and the demand for temporary accommodation, in the short term, we have needed to acknowledge that local authorities need to use a variety of options, including hotels and B&Bs, in…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
So, just to be really clear, the use of waiting lists for people who are entitled to temporary accommodation, under either section 68 or 75 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, is unlawful. It's just straightforward. It's the duty of the local authority to secure…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Yes, it absolutely is, Chair. So, we've been having some initial discussions with Shelter Cymru regarding the potential of a homeless-at-home approach. It clearly should not be the default that everyone goes into temporary accommodation; that's not the most…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Yes, thanks, Carolyn. So, we have this problem right across Wales. It’s by no means unique to that area. Since the First Minister chaired the summit on this issue on phosphates in the summer in the Royal Welsh—it seems like a long time ago now, doesn’t it; it…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Yes, Chair, we have dedicated officials who work with each local authority—'relationship managers', they're called—and each of them work in depth with the local authorities they're assigned to, to understand the specific issues in that local authority, to…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Well, we are working on a range of prevention measures. The Minister for Social Justice and I have announced a series of funds and help for families. All of those measures are designed to help people have more affordable lives. More affordable lives means…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Homelessness - Evidence Session 5 - Minister for Climate Change
Thank you, Chair. Just to start by saying that the approach that we've taken since the pandemic has undoubtedly saved lives, and it's also lifted the lid on the true scale of homelessness in Wales and previously unmet support needs. So, just to be really…
, Plenary
Debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee Report—'Report on operation of the interim environmental protection measures'
Absolutely, Huw, I was coming on to say exactly that. We want those targets to be meaningful and stretching. We want them to be achievable, though. There's no point in having targets and everybody goes, 'Oh well, you'll never do that'. We need them to be…
, Plenary
Debate on the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee Report—'Report on operation of the interim environmental protection measures'
Sorry, go on, Huw.
