A rally calling for housing rights to be enshrined in law is set to be held in Powys. Welsh language group, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, has confirmed that the Nid yw Cymru ar Werth (Wales is Not for Sale) rally will be held in Machynlleth on Saturday, September 14. The group has said that they are backing the campaign by the Welsh housing charity, Tai Pawb, which believes that adequate and sustainable housing should be a human right.
In 2019, the charity presented a bill which wanted to see individuals have the right to a “good home” in Wales. On their website, Tai Pawb highlighted the ongoing housing crisis in Wales, where demand significantly outstrips supply, making homeownership unattainable for many. They argue for a national commitment to ensure every individual has a human right to access suitable and sustainable housing.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has been vocal in their support for this cause, alongside organisations like Shelter Cymru. The rally in Machynlleth, the former Welsh parliament seat, will begin at 2pm at the Maengwyn car park and march towards the Glyndŵr Monument on the Plas Grounds. Various speakers, including Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell MS, are expected to address the crowd.
The Welsh language group has been advocating for measures to address the impact of second homes in Welsh-speaking communities, urging the Welsh Government to take action. In response, some councils have introduced higher council tax rates for empty or second homes to discourage this trend. Cymdeithas yr Iaith is calling for legislative changes to reframe housing as a human right rather than purely as assets.
Jeff Smith, communities spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith, emphasised the need for legislation that recognises housing as a fundamental right, on par with education and healthcare. The upcoming rally aims to raise awareness about the housing crisis in Wales and advocate for legal reforms to ensure housing is accessible to all.