Written question WQ99700
- Asked by
- Dan ThomasReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure veterans are prioritised for social housing?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
Local housing authorities are best placed to respond to the housing needs of their local communities and the Welsh Government expects them to take steps to house veterans whenever the need arises. When allocating accommodation, local authorities must have regard to the Welsh Government’s Code of Guidance for Local Authorities: Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, (which includes specific advice in relation to both serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans), along with their statutory obligations. Under Section 167 of the Housing Act 1996, local authorities are required to have an allocation scheme that determines the authority’s priorities and procedures to be followed in allocating social housing.