A mother residing in Cardiff with eight children in a three-bedroom house is among numerous individuals enduring lengthy waits on the city’s swelling housing waiting list. Cardiff Council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, disclosed during a council scrutiny committee meeting that the mother was “at the end of her tether.”
The rising demand for social housing in Cardiff appears insatiable, with one council official expressing skepticism about the city’s ability to ever meet the demand completely. As of November 2024, there were 9,500 households on the housing waiting list, reflecting a 24% surge from November 2021. The latest data indicates that there are 9,682 applicants presently on the council’s housing waiting list.
A recent council document highlighted that 6% of current applicants have been on the list for over a decade. Cllr Thorne emotionally shared the plight of a woman with eight children who has been on the waiting list for approximately 20 years. Despite the prolonged wait, the council refrains from rehousing families in already overcrowded properties, presenting a complex dilemma.
The housing waiting list in Cardiff demonstrates various durations of wait times, with 20% of applicants waiting for two to four years, and 10% for four to six years. The challenges associated with meeting the escalating demand for social housing remain substantial, prompting Cardiff Council to strategize on expanding its council house building program.
Cardiff Council detailed plans to enhance the pace and scale of its house building initiatives, including a partnership program to deliver at least 2,260 new homes over the next decade. Despite efforts to increase housing availability, the council acknowledges the daunting task ahead in reconciling demand with supply.
Although the number of lets made via the Cardiff housing waiting list witnessed a notable increase, there persists a significant disparity between the demand for housing and the available allocations. The council’s initiatives to facilitate downsizing for older residents and the construction of new properties aim to alleviate pressure on the housing waiting list.
Acknowledging the persistent housing challenges, council officers and officials convey a sense of urgency in addressing the housing shortage. Despite incremental progress in expanding housing options and allocating properties, the gap between demand and supply underscores the ongoing struggle faced by families on the housing waiting list in Cardiff.
In a bid to mitigate the housing crisis, Cardiff Council continues to explore avenues to bolster social housing provision and streamline allocation processes. The ongoing dialogue and efforts within the council underscore the profound impact of housing insecurity on families and individuals awaiting suitable accommodations. The journey towards bridging the housing gap in Cardiff remains a multifaceted and evolving process requiring collective commitment and innovative solutions.