Thousands of council house tenants in Carmarthenshire are facing the prospect of a rent increase in April. The expected rise is set at an average of 2.7%, equivalent to £2.85 per week, which is one of the lowest increases seen over the past two decades. Residents of the council’s 9,400 homes would see a 2.62% increase on average, as detailed to councillors. The proposal for the rent raise is to be deliberated by the council’s cabinet and requires full council approval before implementation.
Councillor Alun Lenny, the cabinet member for resources, highlighted that the costs of housing contractors have significantly increased, alongside the rise in employer National Insurance contributions. Lenny pointed out the challenging task of maintaining affordable rents for tenants amidst these escalating expenses. If the council’s proposal is sanctioned, tenants can expect to pay around £108.59 per week, significantly lower than private rental rates, as revealed during the communities, homes, and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting.
A committee report disclosed that 40% of tenants were recipients of universal credit, with another 20.4% reliant on full housing benefit. Additionally, 12.3% received partial housing benefit, while 27.3% did not receive any housing benefit. Despite the rent arrears increasing slightly, the council plans to allocate £282 million towards maintaining and enhancing its housing stock over the subsequent three years. This budget includes investing £50 million in constructing and acquiring affordable housing units.
The housing pressure in Carmarthenshire surpasses the available supply, with an average of 35 households presenting as homeless weekly, yet only 15 social homes are typically allocated to accommodate them. Concurrently, over 150 households reside in temporary accommodation at any given time, with a prevalent need for single-person dwellings. The escalating demands on housing resources are further exacerbated by recent immigration policies and early prisoner release schemes.
Notably, part of the £50 million earmarked for the development of affordable homes will fund new-build projects, while acquisitions of private sector residences and supported temporary accommodations are also prioritised. The council’s intent to establish large-scale housing sites was disclosed during the committee meeting; however, specific locations for these developments remain undisclosed. Housing associations and developers contribute to the affordable housing sector through legal agreements tied to planning permissions.
Among the council’s housing stock, around 144 properties are currently vacant out of a total of approximately 9,400 homes, with refurbishment work underway in almost half of these properties. Councillor Linda Evans highlighted the minimal proportion of void properties as highly positive, emphasising the time required to reinstate them for occupancy. Heating systems across council properties vary, with over a fifth utilising oil heating, more than two-thirds employing gas heating, and a minimal percentage equipped with electric-powered air source heat pumps.
Moreover, the council’s commitment to incorporating more energy-efficient air source heat pumps in retrofit projects and new constructions was affirmed by a council officer. This energy-efficient initiative aligns with the council’s future plans to increase the deployment of air source heat pump technologies. The ongoing endeavours reflect the council’s dedicated focus on enhancing housing quality and sustainability in Carmarthenshire. This multifaceted approach aims to address the evolving housing needs of residents, ensuring accessibility to affordable and sustainable housing solutions.