PET(4)-04-12 p10a

P-04-357 Allocating social housing in Wales

Petition wording:

We call upon the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to address the flawed system for allocating social housing in Wales.

At present, a person who has never visited Wales can qualify for social housing ahead of someone born and bred in Wales. This is due to the points system giving preference to the homeless, those in unfit accommodation, those recently released from institutions, etc.

At first glance, commendable; but when applied on a UK basis we see an endless stream of people with ‘problems’ from outside Wales denying Welsh people social housing and, too often, blighting Welsh communities.

To remedy this problem we call on the Welsh Government to introduce a period of five-years’ residency in Wales before anyone qualifies for social housing, exempting only political refugees and others escaping persecution.

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Petition raised by: Royston Jones

Date petition first considered by Committee: 10 January 2012

Number of signatures:115

Supporting Information:
Earlier this year members of a paedophile gang were given long jail sentences at Swansea Crown Court. This gang was housed in Kidwelly by the Gwalia Housing Group. But why was this gang, originally from London, and with previous convictions, ever inflicted on a small Welsh town?

Regrettably, the Kidwelly case is one of many examples of known criminals and other undesirables being housed in Wales. Leading to a growing suspicion that Wales is being used as a dumping ground by English local authorities and other agencies. Aided by bodies within Wales receiving premium payments for housing such people.                   

Given that social housing providers are both registered with and funded by the Welsh Government, the time has surely come to review the rôle, responsibilities and funding of Welsh social housing providers.