16 January 2004
Welsh Assembly ministers must take immediate action to stimulate housing demand in the Heads of Valleys region because the issue is hindering regeneration initiatives, experts have warned.
A soon-to-be-published study commissioned by the Bevan Foundation, one of the principality's most prominent think-tanks, has unearthed 'extensive' areas where low demand is affecting both private and social housing.
The independent study, Home is where the heart is, is due to be launched in full on January 20. It claims: 'The impact of low demand for housing can be serious, affecting people's ability to move home, access equity and wider regeneration efforts.'
Authors Tamsin Stirling and Simon Inkson believe ministers have not given the issue of low demand the same priority in Wales as in England and have called for better co-ordination of housing demand management, marketing schemes and community support initiatives.
The report also calls for the Heads of Valleys region to be declared a housing market renewal area, which should allow it to attract more investment, plus innovative approaches to the issue, including a public-private demonstration project on re-configuring terraced housing.
Finally, the authors suggest increased support for the Welsh construction industry.
Deputy minister for social justice Huw Lewis is expected to unveil the full report when he visits Rhondda in South Wales next week, but ministers have so far remained silent on the critical content.
PFjan2004
