Housing debates in the Seventh Senedd have centred on the Plaid Cymru Government's target of 20,000 new social homes by 2030, and on planned legislation on private renting and fair rents. Members have also pressed ministers on homelessness and temporary accommodation, slow building safety remediation, holiday let rules and the planning system.
The main arguments
Siân Gwenllian (Plaid Cymru) said a shortage of homes is at the core of the crisis and set out the 20,000 social homes target. Peter Fox (Conservatives) asked why it would succeed when the last Government missed its target. Contributions:
Huw Thomas (Labour) asked whether social housing grant would rise with construction inflation. Dan Thomas (Reform UK) argued delivery needs planning reform and ministerial intervention where councils fall short, and Francesca O'Brien (Reform UK) cited a gap between completions and need. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On private renting, Anthony Slaughter (Greens) called for a ban on no-fault evictions. Nick Carter (Plaid Cymru) cited rents rising nearly 9 per cent. Ministers promised legislation on affordability, enforcement and tenant protections this term. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
On homelessness, Gwenllian cited 10,509 people in temporary accommodation, 2,267 of them children. Shav Taj (Labour) asked when bed and breakfast use for children would end. Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK) asked for data on veteran homelessness. Contributions: [1][2][3]
On building safety, Joe Martin (Reform UK) asked for binding deadlines and sanctions, citing four of 161 buildings fully remediated. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) and Gwenllian pointed to regulations, developer meetings and a new interim alarm grant. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
On planning, Gwenllian launched a consultation on a new national development framework. Francesca O'Brien called it a plan for a plan, and Vikki Howells (Labour) said it must not delay action. Tom Montgomery (Reform UK) cited slow council decisions. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
On holiday lets, Paul Davies (Conservatives) and Paul Marr (Reform UK) criticised the 182-day threshold. Anna Nicholl (Plaid Cymru) welcomed keeping it under review while noting its link to housing pressures. Mike Hedges (Labour) raised Airbnb removing homes from renting. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Where the parties stand
Welsh Conservatives
Peter Fox questioned whether 20,000 social homes by 2030 is achievable and asked about land transaction tax for first-time buyers. Paul Davies wants the whole 182-day threshold reviewed. Darren Millar urged review of Future Wales and a pause on large solar and wind schemes. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Welsh Labour
Huw Thomas asked about social housing grant funding. Shav Taj pressed on ending bed and breakfast use for children. Mike Hedges asked for legally enforceable remediation dates. Ken Skates welcomed fair rent and community right to buy proposals for scrutiny. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Reform UK
Dan Thomas called for planning reform, ministerial intervention and more council powers over HMOs, and linked housing shortages partly to immigration. Joe Martin sought binding remediation deadlines. Francesca O'Brien highlighted the completions gap. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
Plaid Cymru
Government members set out the 20,000 social homes target, legislation on fair rents and enforcement, a right to adequate housing, and building safety regulations. Backbenchers raised youth homelessness, Wrexham's local plan and the 182-day rule. Contributions: [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Wales Green Party
Anthony Slaughter backed ACORN's call to end no-fault evictions and stop rent bidding wars, welcomed £20 million capital for social housing, and asked for a housing strategy including plans to end homelessness. Contributions: [1][2][3]
Welsh Liberal Democrats
Jane Dodds raised homelessness among children and care leavers, citing the Children's Commissioner's survey, and asked what ministers will do to help homeless people this winter. Contributions: [1][2]
What the government is being pressed on
1Can 20,000 social homes be delivered by 2030? Fox pointed to the previous failure; Gwenllian said the last Government pushed the target forward with housing associations and councils. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said Unnos will streamline delivery. Contributions: [1][2][3]
2When will no-fault evictions end and rents be controlled? Rhun ap Iorwerth said a renters Bill will come this term, and a second Bill on rent regulation needs evidence, looking at Scotland and Catalonia. Contributions: [1][2][3]
3How will developers be held to remediation commitments? Ministers said work will start at every development by the end of this year, regulations on remediation orders will be consulted on, and Gwenllian said she will report progress to the Senedd. Contributions: [1][2][3]
4Will local plans be more flexible? Carrie Harper asked about Wrexham. Rhun ap Iorwerth said officials are identifying options for community engagement and that Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales can be updated. Contributions: [1][2]
5Will the 182-day threshold change? Davies asked for timescales and the minimum viable level. Nicholl welcomed a commitment to keep it under review, and Labour said it supports review. Contributions: [1][2][3]
What the public is asking for
Petitions ask for Georgia's Law on urgent safe housing for abuse survivors (184 signatures) and faster council powers against illegal dumping and unauthorised development (1,522). Smaller petitions seek tenant gardening for nature (46), a right to buy after 20 years (37), landlord application records (16) and disabled tenant protections (9).
Who ministers are meeting
Ministers have met housing sector bodies such as Community Housing Cymru and the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, homelessness and tenant groups such as Cymorth Cymru and Shelter Cymru, landlord bodies, and developers carrying out building safety remediation.
In the Sixth Senedd (2021 to 2026)
From the previous Senedd's record, for issues that run across both. The rest of this analysis covers the Seventh Senedd only.
In the Sixth Senedd, housing debate centred on the Labour Government's 20,000 low-carbon social homes for rent target, which opposition members said was off track. Second homes, holiday lets, rent controls and slow building safety remediation were also contested, with Plaid Cymru's co-operation agreement shaping some policy.
Julie James (Labour) made the 20,000 social homes for rent target her top priority. Mark Isherwood (Conservatives) said Audit Wales expected a shortfall and that the target had been widened. Contributions: [1][2]
Julie James set out second homes measures agreed with Plaid Cymru, and Mabon ap Gwynfor welcomed them. Mark Isherwood and Peter Fox argued the 182-day rule harmed self-catering businesses. Contributions: [1][2][3][4]
On rent controls, Luke Fletcher (Plaid Cymru) criticised the Government's retreat, citing a White Paper's evidence base. Gareth Davies (Conservatives) asked it to rule controls out. Contributions: [1][2]
Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrats) and Rhys ab Owen (Independent) pressed on the slow pace and poor communication of building safety remediation for leaseholders. Contributions: [1][2]
Written by AI on 23 October 2026 from 205 contributions in the Senedd between 19 May 2026 and 14 October 2026, with the petitions and ministers' meetings on this brief. Each point links to the contributions it draws on; check them before quoting. How the analysis is written.
Where things stand
Statistics published by the Welsh Government. Each chart covers the years since the 2016 Senedd election, or as far back as the figures go, and marks each election since.
Homeless people in temporary accommodation
10,535
31 July 2026
Of whom children under 16
2,386
A year earlier
10,975(31 July 2025)
Before the 2026 election
10,376(30 April 2026)
People
Of whom children under 16
Homeless people living in temporary accommodation arranged by councils on the last day of each month, and how many of them were children under 16.
The Vale of Glamorgan's figures for November 2025 to June 2026 are estimates.
13 commitments in the Welsh Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 fall under this brief, in the Programme's own words. Under each is how often it has been raised in the Seventh Senedd.
Housing
Introduce new measures to strengthen the rights and protections of renters, including fair rents, and we will improve the overall quality of rental properties.
Raised in 8 speeches. Most recently on 30 September 2026, by David Mills. Matched on: “rent control”.
Expand access to retrofitting by adopting a tenure‑neutral, area‑based approach whilst retaining existing energy efficiency schemes for low‑income households.
Raised in 22 speeches. Most recently on 14 October 2026, by Llyr Gruffydd. Matched on: “Retrofitting”, “retrofit”.
Focus on the pace of remediation of properties with fire safety defects.
Raised in 18 speeches, 1 agenda item and 1 written question. Most recently on 28 September 2026, by Peredur Owen Griffiths. Matched on: “building safety”.
Examine options for extending permitted development rights for single dwellings and converting farm buildings for residential use to improve access to affordable housing in rural areas.
Raised in 2 speeches and 3 written questions. Most recently on 9 October 2026, in a written question from Darren Millar. Matched on: “permitted development”.
Review the 182‑day threshold for holiday accommodation and create clear and reasonable new exemptions where that accommodation would not qualify as a private home.
Raised in 26 speeches, 2 written questions and 1 petition. Most recently on 28 September 2026, in a written question from John Clark. Matched on: “self-catering”.
Work with local authorities to review the effectiveness of existing measures on second homes and holiday lets and assess what further action is needed to help young people remain in their communities and to promote the Welsh language and culture.
Raised in 26 speeches. Most recently on 1 October 2026, by Trystan Jones. Matched on: “council tax premium”, “council tax premiums”.
Make the renewal of Welsh housing stock a national mission, along with reforms to ensure greater security for renters and increased availability of social housing. Safe and adequate housing is an essential bedrock of health.
Raised in 17 speeches and 1 written question. Most recently on 1 October 2026, by Chris Bailey. Matched on: “housing stock”.
Embed a Housing First, trauma‑informed and person‑centred approach to tackling homelessness, ensuring our new homelessness legislation is implemented effectively and kept under review. Our Housing and Regeneration Strategy will be rooted in the ambition that everyone should have a safe and secure home.
Source: Welsh Government, Programme for government 2026 to 2030: New ambition for Wales, first published on 10 September 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Mentions are found by matching the names of plans, bodies and schemes; a mention says nothing about progress.
From the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government's latest press releases and Cabinet statements on this brief.
Each bar is the share of that party's speeches and questions in the Seventh Senedd that touched this brief, so large and small parties can be compared. The upright line marks the chamber as a whole: 4.2%.
Ministers' meetings with outside organisations and their engagements on this brief, from the register the Welsh Government publishes every three months. 15 since the 2026 election; the latest:
28 September 2026
Intro meeting with Community Housing Cymru (CHC)
Meeting, Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
24 September 2026
Tenants Farmers Association
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
16 September 2026
Developers who are delivering the Building Safety Remediation works
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
8 September 2026
Propertymark and National Residential Landlords Association
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
30 July 2026
ITV Wales - Homelessness
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
27 July 2026
David Ward and John Lovell re: Unnos
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
27 July 2026
Hollybrook Park - Help to Buy-Wales Scheme
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
9 July 2026
Shelter Cymru’s PRS Tenant Panel
Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Members whose entries in the Register of Members' Interests relate to this brief, matched by the brief's words and phrases. Members must register these interests, and having one doesn't mean anything improper.
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property General…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property General…
Voluntary record of Members’ other interests: Information relevant to entry: National Residential Landlords Association - Member
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Two residential properties held in trust…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property. General location…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
Land and Property: Member and spouse Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property General…
Shareholdings: Spouse Name of the company or body: Coetmor Properties Nature of the company or body’s business: Housing rental Shares being registered upon account of having a value: greater…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property General location: Ruthin…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Farmland General location: Powys Is the…
Land and Property: Member and partner Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential rented property…
Land and Property: Partner Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
Land and Property: Partner Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential property General location…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380. Nature of the property: Residential General location: Swansea Is the…
Land and Property: Member Land or property being registered upon account of it: having a substantial value of more than £76,380 and deriving a substantial annual income of more than £7,638. Nature…
39% of Welsh adults said housing would be very important to their vote.
Ipsos asked 747 Welsh adults aged 16+ between 2 April 2026 and 8 April 2026, before the 2026 Senedd election. People could choose as many issues as they liked. More on public opinion.
Written questions
36 written questions to the Welsh Government on this brief in the Seventh Senedd, 30 answered so far. The latest:
Spring and summer 2026 have been exceptionally hot and dry in Wales. This weather can affect everything from health to agriculture. Climate change is amplifying this extreme weather, making it more common and intense.
As with other parts of the UK, people across Wales have been hit by a living standards squeeze since the 2008 financial crisis, which has been exacerbated over recent years by cost of living pressures.
It is widely accepted that Wales is experiencing a sustained housing crisis linked to structural supply shortages, affordability pressures, and high demand.
Mine and quarry tips are a physical reminder of Wales’ industrial past. These tips can threaten life and well-being, as was seen during landslips at Tylorstown in 2020, and Cwmtillery in 2024.
Contributions tagged in each month of the Seventh Senedd. No sittings were held in August 2026.Show the numbers
Month
Contributions
May 2026
6
June 2026
125
July 2026
51
August 2026
No sittings
September 2026
114
October 2026
112
How this brief is put together
This brief follows the Programme commitments listed above and tags the record with the phrases below. Keyword matching can miss business that discusses the issue in other words, and can tag a passing mention.
Show the phrases it uses
A contribution is tagged when its English text contains one of these phrases. Capital letters don't matter, except in abbreviations, which must match exactly. It is also tagged when the title of the agenda item or question it was part of contains one, as long as the contribution is at least 30 words long. The brief is also tagged whenever one of its themes is.
New homes completed in Wales each quarter: all new homes, and those built by registered social landlords (housing associations) and by councils.
Completions rise and fall with the seasons, so each quarter is compared with the same quarter a year earlier. The figures are likely to be an undercount, because they leave out homes signed off by some private approved inspectors. Gwynedd sent no figures for 2025-26, and Bridgend none for July to September 2024 or April to June 2025. There are no quarterly figures for April 2020 to March 2022: the Welsh Government published only yearly totals for those two years. Completions by social landlords are not the same as the Welsh Government's count of additional affordable homes, which also includes homes bought or converted.
New homes completed: every figure in the chart, newest first.
Period
All new homes
By housing associations
By councils
April to June 2026
1,190
214
25
January to March 2026
1,074
253
91
October to December 2025
1,811
278
1
July to September 2025
1,046
226
28
April to June 2025
1,228
195
23
January to March 2025
1,074
369
45
October to December 2024
1,275
231
90
July to September 2024
944
142
4
April to June 2024
1,345
315
74
January to March 2024
1,115
297
0
October to December 2023
1,543
264
16
July to September 2023
1,005
194
19
April to June 2023
1,108
215
30
January to March 2023
1,050
182
0
October to December 2022
1,805
390
14
July to September 2022
1,339
149
77
April to June 2022
1,591
289
102
January to March 2020
1,291
190
43
October to December 2019
1,759
363
0
July to September 2019
1,391
289
6
April to June 2019
1,596
367
6
January to March 2019
1,325
380
0
October to December 2018
1,593
346
9
July to September 2018
1,299
265
18
April to June 2018
1,560
240
30
January to March 2018
1,367
232
29
October to December 2017
1,817
226
24
July to September 2017
1,413
209
16
April to June 2017
2,066
450
12
January to March 2017
1,589
277
0
October to December 2016
2,012
439
0
July to September 2016
1,601
238
0
April to June 2016
1,631
289
0
Additional affordable homes counted towards the Welsh Government's target of 20,000 in the social sector for 2021 to 2026, each financial year. They include homes for social rent, intermediate rent and shared ownership, and homes leased for more than a year to house homeless families.
The Programme for Government 2026 to 2030 sets a new target: at least 20,000 additional social homes by 2030.
