Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ85919

We are wholly committed to ensuring that everyone in Wales has access to a decent, affordable, and safe home and I am very concerned about the rise in rent levels, particularly in the context of a cost-of-living crisis. I have written to the UK Government several times, most recently in July, urging them to increase Local Housing Allowance levels to reflect rental levels in Wales.

We have provided £300k of funding for Citizens Advice Cymru to establish the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Debt Helpline. During the first year of the scheme, more than 900 private rented sector tenants have been supported. This is in addition to the funding of almost £1.5m annually for Shelter Cymru to support those in need of advice and support.

Following a successful pilot, this year we launched Leasing Scheme Wales which will improve access to longer term affordable housing in the private rental sector. Funding is provided to Local Authorities to administer the scheme and to lease properties for between five and ten years to rent at Local Housing Allowance rates; local authorities are funded by Welsh Government to provide the same level of support to tenants they could expect from social landlords.

I would advise any tenant who is struggling to pay their rent to contact their landlord in the first instance and their local authority. We have provided £6m for local authorities for the Homelessness Prevention Grant. Local authorities have maximum flexibility in how to use this funding to prevent homelessness, as well as Discretionary Housing Payments for those on housing-related benefits.

The Welsh Government is committed to preventing and ending homelessness in Wales and is providing over £197m for Housing Support and Homelessness Prevention services in this financial year.

We are also committed to publishing a White Paper on new approaches to affordable rents for local people on local incomes, and a right to adequate housing, which forms part of the Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru.