CARMARTHENSHIRE’s Executive Board have revealed ‘challenging’ plans to build 1000 affordable homes over the next five years.
The £60m plan has been drawn up by Cllr Linda Evans and other Council officers as part of the Affordable Housing Commitment. It includes the delivery of a new-build programme that will aim to increase the number of houses built, and provide further investment across four ‘action areas’ also.
Cllr Evans said: “We have carried out a comprehensive assessment of need before creating this plan, which has underlined the action we need to take to meet the demand for affordable homes.” The plan is to begin its political process as it goes before the Community Scrutiny Committee on Friday.
The plan will then need to be approved by the Full Council for it to be carried out.
“This plan sets out how we plan to deliver a programme of investment which will improve our performance in order to meet that need.”
Within the plans, the four action areas that will receive additional funding will be: Ammanford and the Amman Valley; Carmarthen and the West; Carmarthenshire rural; and Llanelli and district.
A range of solutions will be carried out in order to deliver the plan which include managing tenancies in the private sector through the council’s Social Letting Agency; bringing empty homes back into use; and buying private homes for social let.
To maximise resources, external funding such as the Social Housing Grant can be utilised to support wider regeneration but also to support the adaptation of housing for people with additional needs such as disabilities.
“We need to ensure the supply of affordable homes reflects housing need across Carmarthenshire,” added Cllr Evans.
“This is a huge challenge, but one we’re prepared to meet.”
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