Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr. Craig ab Iago.

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was presented, and attention was drawn to projects that were a part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-2028.

It was reported that 885 homeless presentations had reached the Department between April 2023 and March 2024, it was elaborated that the number of individuals and families in emergency accommodation also continued to be high. It was noted that nearly 250 households were placed in temporary accommodation across the County. It was emphasised that the Department continued to work tirelessly to offer solutions to this situation through many work streams and projects.

It was confirmed that the Department aimed to develop at least 83 supported housing units for individuals in locations across the County, in accordance with the Housing Action Plan. Attention was drawn to the Dôl Sadler development in Dolgellau which had received good feedback recently. It was detailed that the current accommodation units plan included locations in Bangor, Pwllheli and Caernarfon.

Attention was drawn to the Department's plan to encourage private landlords to lease their property to the Council for a guaranteed rent for a period of 5-25 years. It was noted that the department had managed to attract a grant of over £2.7m to develop these packages and were aiming to bring 100 houses on the Scheme over the next ten years. It was confirmed that 14 properties were now on the scheme that had enabled the Department to help 22 people to rent a house. It was elaborated that 11 other properties were currently being assessed and that the Department continued to respond to expressions of interest.

⁠There was pride that the Department had appointed two officers to assist with the support for individuals with mental health problems to avoid situations where vulnerable individuals lose their tenancy. Details were provided that the officers had been successful in helping 100 people over the last year and a half and currently supported 40 additional people.

It was acknowledged that there was currently a housing crisis in Gwynedd and it was emphasised that increasing the supply of housing for local people was a priority for the Council. Details were given that there were 278 of social housing units, by confirming that 260 of additional units were currently in the pipeline. Attention was drawn to the Tŷ Gwynedd scheme namely a development of 33 intermediate houses that would be available to buy.

⁠It was reported that the Department was on track to achieve the number of purchases that were set as a Buy to Let Scheme ambition for 2023-24, as 22 houses were bought with an additional 5 nearly completed.

It was updated that the Department had now distributed 4102 energy vouchers to provide support for people with the increasing energy costs and fuel poverty. It was detailed that the cost of these vouchers was £167,820 and had gone directly to help the people of Gwynedd.

It was noted that the Department faced a challenge when trying to contact utility companies especially in relation to repair and construction companies. It was detailed that agencies such as Welsh Water and others could be causing delay on developments as they had taken some time to connect essential supplies to sites. It was confirmed that the Department had raised these concerns and barriers with the Government.

The department was thanked for all their work throughout last year.