Affordable housing scheme launched

A NEW online scheme to identify people needing affordable housing has been launched.

The independent survey is from community groups wishing to support individuals and communities in West Wales - particularly west Carmarthenshire, south Ceredigion and north Pembrokeshire.

The initiative is a collaboration between 4CG Cymru Cooperative in Cardigan and the local community development charity PLANED in Narberth.

Hedd Harries, community engagement officer at PLANED, said: “We are contacting all town and community councils within the communities identified but also are encouraging voluntary groups to get involved in notifying local people of the chance to have their say.”

Shan Williams, of 4CG Cymru Cooperative, added: “Housing for local people is a highly important issue, we are seeing census figures showing a depopulation of rural areas as local people are priced out and the lack of well-paid employment.

“The increasing is the cost of living will compound the problem, we have to look at radical solutions.

Cris Tomos at Planed said: “There is such a need for local affordable housing and having a current picture of the housing need in each community would allow relevant organisations to plan for the housing needs in each area for future generations.”

He added: “We need to see local communities leading on housing developments to ensure that they meet the local demand.”

Anyone wishing to be involved in starting a community led housing initiative in their area can contact cris.tomos@planed.org.uk Hard copies of the survey are also available through contacting hedd. harries@planed.org.uk or telephoning the PLANED office on 01834 860965.

The survey closes on October 31 and people are asked to get their responses completed by that date.