180% rise in Denbighshire’s semi-detached house
15 August 2007

A semi-detached house situated in Denbighshire, has seen an astounding rise of 180%, in five years. In 2001, a semi detached house in Crud y Castell, Denbigh cost £46,500. Now, five years later, the same house is priced at £130,000. And with only 4.8% rise in salary, in 2001 the average salary was £14,500 compared to £15,201 last year, those dreaming of owning their own home one day, might never fulfil their ambition. This is the problem facing hundreds of single parents, couples and young families who are desperate to make their way onto the housing ladder in North Wales .

Research suggests a huge shortfall of approximately 33,000 social houses in Wales . The current Welsh Assembly Government grant of £80 million needs to be trebled, in order that approximately 5,000 homes are built each year in Wales . That is the genuine situation of housing needs across Wales .

“If the housing market continues to rise as it has done during these last few years, it is difficult to imagine where we’ll be in another six years,” explains Gwynne Jones, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s Director of Housing, “because of the astronomical rise in house prices, buying a home is near impossible for low income earners . Today, the multiplier to income is on average 5 to 1. The problem is much worse in Wales ’ rural areas.”

With over 20,000 homeless people in Wales , the property issue affects the most vulnerable people in society.

“As housing associations across Wales we provide over 70,000 affordable houses to buy or rent in Wales (Homebuy Scheme) and employ 3,500 people. Unfortunately, the number of houses we develop does not satisfy the demand. It is a problem which the Welsh Assembly Government has to face, in order that local people are given the opportunity to remain in their communities and ensure a prosperous future to towns, villages and rural areas across North Wales ,” Gwynne Jones added.

In June, four affordable homes were introduced to local people in Llanuwchllyn, Y Bala, through a joint project between Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and Gwynedd County Council. The County Council sold the land at Maes y Pandy, Llanuwchllyn to Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd a year earlier, and subsequently four young local families now reside at these new homes. All four houses have been built to a high standard and offer low cost maintenance and heating due to energy efficiency devices.

Elen Thomas , Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd’s Management Board Chairperson said: “Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd has to adjust and change its policies constantly in the wake of political, legislative and economical shifts. The combination of a significant scarcity of affordable housing together with the huge increase in prices means that social housing is at the forefront of political debate. By working with other agencies, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd is committed to try and meet needs, by offering innovative and creative projects.”  

Between 2006 and 2007, Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd invested £6.5 million in affordable homes in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, north Powys and south Gwynedd, and spent £1 million on repair and maintenance work. Managing over 1,600 properties, the housing association also employs 70 people at its headquarters in Denbigh and in its office at Bala.

During the last 10 years, 34,000 homes in Wales were sold under the ‘right to buy’ scheme, but only 17,500 new homes were developed by Wales ’ housing associations within the same period.

Nick Bennett , Community Housing Cymru explained: “We welcome much of what is included in the ‘One Wales’ document and believe that the Welsh Assembly Government is taking steps to address many of the pressing housing issues in Wales. However, the emphasis on social housing also needs to inclúde a focus on regulatory reform allowing a more flexible approach concentrating on outcomes, and allowing housing associations to build more homes in Wales ."