Majority of temporary accommodation in Wales could be cut with the right reforms says charity

A homeless charity claims 83% of temporary accommodation in Wales could be cut with the right policy reform.

A report by Crisis reveals that more than 12,250 households in Wales are currently facing homelessness.

The news comes as Shelter Cymru reveals that more than 94,000 households in Wales are waiting for a social home.

Raise local housing allowance and make changes to Universal Credit

The Homeless Monitor: Wales 2025 report by Crisis, delivered by Heriot-Watt University, reveals that Wales faces a challenging social and economic context in addressing homelessness, including a lack of housing and limited staff capacity within local authority teams.

However, Crisis, says a sequenced policy reform programme, could reduce homelessness in Wales.

They say some of the most effective policies for reducing core homelessness in the immediate term include increasing the share of social lettings to homeless households, raising Local Housing Allowance, and making changes to Universal Credit and other benefits to improve financial stability for those at risk.

Investment in housing supply

Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said in the report: “This research demonstrates the importance of striving forward with the building affordable social homes and expanding Housing First support across the country.

“Furthermore, it sends a clear message that we must do more to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place. It shows that homelessness prevention is limited within the constraints of current legislation and that professionals across the sector warmly welcome current proposals for changes to the law to drive homeless prevention upstream.

“However, in these difficult times, this monitor also shows that people working across local authorities are anxious about some aspects of proposals for change. Their voices are clear – reform must be accompanied by investment in housing supply and support services.”

The report comes after Shelter Cymru revealed that more than 94,000 households in Wales are waiting for a social home and at current delivery rates, it would take over 35 years to provide a suitable home for every household on the list.

Shelter Cymru urges the Welsh government to increase the level of funding for social homes and endorse the recommendation of the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee for at least 20% of all homes in Wales to be social homes.

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