Delivering More Homes in Wales
A pragmatic case for accelerating housing supply
Wales faces an acute housing crisis. Rising costs, increasing regulatory requirements and constrained public funding are limiting delivery at a time of growing need.
This white paper sets out a practical, delivery-focused framework for increasing housing supply while maintaining quality, sustainability and long-term affordability.
Why this paper matters
Housing demand continues to rise across all tenures, yet output remains constrained.
This paper examines:
-
Why grant-led delivery alone cannot meet housing need at scale
-
The growing tension between regulation and delivery capacity
-
The opportunity cost of current funding structures
-
The importance of planning reform and pipeline certainty
It argues that increasing supply must become the primary test of housing policy.
Key themes explored
1. The Housing Crisis in Wales
Rising homelessness, growing waiting lists and escalating build costs are placing pressure across the system.
2. Limits of a Grant-Led Model
Higher subsidy per home means fewer homes delivered.
3. A Whole-Tenure Approach
Social rent, intermediate rent and discounted market rent all play a role in relieving pressure and improving affordability.
4. Alternative Delivery Models
Evidence from Welsh schemes demonstrates that institutional investment and mixed-tenure development can reduce reliance on capital grant while protecting quality.
5. Unlocking Stalled Regeneration Sites
Pipeline certainty, planning reform and smarter risk-sharing are critical to accelerating delivery.
6. What the Next Senedd Must Do
A shift from process-driven policy to delivery-led outcomes.
Evidence from Wales
The paper draws on experience from large-scale regeneration projects delivered in Wales, including schemes funded through long-dated institutional investment rather than traditional capital grant.
These projects demonstrate that:
-
Mixed-tenure models can deliver affordable homes at scale
-
Long-term stewardship protects quality and value
-
Diversified funding tools can increase output for the same public spend
Conclusion
The housing emergency in Wales will not be resolved by good intentions alone. It requires alignment between policy ambition and delivery capacity.
By embracing a range of delivery models, improving planning certainty and focusing on outcomes, Wales can increase supply while maintaining high standards.