Housing sector under the spotlight at Plaid conference

Challenges and opportunities facing the housing sector came under the spotlight at the Plaid Cymru Spring Conference hosted in Llandudno today (Friday, 21 March)

Conference delegates joined in a panel discussion chaired by Siân Gwenllian, Member of the Senedd for Arfon, with Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra and Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru as panellists.

Siân Gwenllian, Member of the Senedd for Arfon, said: “ “Wales is in the grip of a housing crisis that has been decades in the making, leaving too many without the security of an affordable home. It’s sad reality, but it is also a problem we can solve—if we have the ambition and the political will to act.

“Plaid Cymru believes that social housing is not just a safety net but a foundation for a fairer society. It provides stability, supports health and well-being, and opens doors to education and employment. Yet, systemic barriers continue to hold back the large-scale delivery of affordable homes. We need urgent action to remove these barriers—whether it’s reforming planning processes, improving housing data, or unlocking new funding models.

“At the conference today we explored bold and innovative solutions, from community-led housing to modern construction methods. A strengthened Unnos, with the power to drive large-scale projects and leverage new funding, could be a game-changer in tackling this crisis. Our vision is clear: a Wales where everyone has a home they can afford, and where housing is a driver of opportunity and sustainability.”

Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra said: “This was a great opportunity to have a real discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and discussing solutions to help our customers and our communities to thrive.

“There are a number of challenges facing the sector – including the increasing demand for affordable housing and open market housing. Welsh Government has set a target for 20,000 new low carbon homes to rent by 2026 and housing associations like Adra have a role to play in helping to meet that target. But new developments bring their own challenges around the need to identify land and dealing with complex planning processes and procedures.

“We also have significant challenges around ambitious plans to decarbonise homes, including meeting the challenges of funding the Welsh Housing Quality Standards programme and making homes energy efficient.

“But with these challenges come opportunities. Building new homes and investing in our current housing stock brings the need for developing skills and training within the construction industry; creating opportunities for local businesses and contractors and, in turn, boosting the circular economy”.