Newtown-based Mid Wales Housing Association and the Cymdeithas Tai Cantref housing association have called on newly elected Powys county councillors to put housing issues at the top of the agenda as they reiterated the need for another 200 homes in the area.
Last month both housing associations urged candidates to look at housing issues in the area and consider improving issues after being elected. Now they have reiterated that call. Between them the associations have 2,260 homes in Powys, but they have issued a shared manifesto calling for more affordable housing in Newtown and the rest of the county.
The associations say there is a shortfall of 200 homes and more needs to be done, with councillors urged to act. They also highlighted the developing crisis in the provision of services for the elderly and value of specialist housing to support the growing edlerly population.
Shane Perkins, Chief Executive of Mid-Wales Housing Association, said: “We have developed strong effective partnerships with both Powys and Ceredigion County Councils to start to tackle what is a crisis, but this work has not had the same visibility as other issues like school closures or health. It is essential that any newly elected councillors understand both the problem and the wider benefits for communities that addressing housing problems can have.”
Lynne Sacale, Chief Executive of Cantref, echoed this point, but stressed: “We have to do more. Working in partnership we can be far more effective in tackling these issues – housing is the perfect catalyst for economic regeneration.”
You can find out more about what the CT Cantref and Mid-Wales Housing Association are saying on their web sites at www.mid-walesha.co.uk and www.cantref.co.uk