Welsh Government Likely to Miss Housing Target

The founder of Hill Group, Andy Hill, expressed skepticism about the UK government's ambitious goal of building 1.5 million homes in its first term, citing significant financial and planning challenges. While he believes the target could be achievable with better strategic planning, he warns that it would require substantial public subsidies and face obstacles in the UK’s planning system. Meanwhile, a report from Audit Wales revealed that the Welsh Government is falling short of its target to deliver 20,000 low-carbon social homes by 2026, having completed fewer than 10,000 so far. The report indicates that without an additional £580 to £740 million, the government may only achieve between 15,860 and 16,670 homes by the deadline. Rising costs and inflation have exacerbated the situation, prompting a shift towards acquiring existing properties to meet targets. The Welsh Government is urged to reevaluate its approach to funding and planning to overcome these challenges.