Housebuilding slumps below WWII figures in Wales

The number of homes being built in Wales has fallen to its lowest since World War II, according to the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

Over the past decade, between 9,500 and 10,000 new homes have been built on average each year – the lowest since the 1940s.

HBF Wales planning and policy advisor Richard Price said the country was facing a housing crisis, with a backlog of 40,000 homes and no plans to increase building levels.

He said low earners faced massive strife as demand quickly outstripped supply.

Price added: “We have been in a crisis for a while now and it will be very difficult to completely get rid of that backlog. At the moment some local authorities seem to be making it worse year on year.

“The Welsh Assembly must make a commitment to deliver more housing and in turn release more land for development. It must allow local authorities to increase targets in their local development plans.”

Price said there was also a shortage of HBF Wales members to commit to building new homes because of delays in the planning system.

Nick Bennett, chief executive of Welsh housing association body Community Housing Cymru, said waiting lists for social housing had soared as fewer units came to market.

Bennett said: “There has been a crisis in Wales for a while and it has been further complicated by the credit crunch.”

The Welsh Assembly was unable to comment before in time for this article’s publication online.