On 3rd November, the Welsh Government’s Detailed Draft Budget for 2026/27 was presented by finance minister Mark Drakeford.

The total funding for housing and local government in 2026/27 will be £6.98bn to housing and local government made up of £5.69bn in resource funding, £1.21bn in general capital funding and £8.2m in financial transaction capital funding.

An additional £2.3m was set aside to meet initial costs for the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations (Wales) Bill with £26.8m provided to support loans for registered social landlords, with the aim of driving more house building.

The CIH has welcomed these steps but argues more needs to be done to support both the affordability and sustainability of Wales’ existing housing stock.

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Here, it was noted that decarbonisation efforts in Wales will only benefit from an inflationary uplift which the CIH has calculated to be the equivalent of £96.6m.

Matt Dicks, national director at CIH Cymru, has argued a “whole system strategic approach” is required for housing in Wales.

“To do this, housing should be a foundation mission of the government,” he added.

“That is why in our Manifesto ‘A plan for housing in Wales’ CIH Cymru calls for the next government to enshrine the right of adequate housing into Welsh legislation.

“We must be ambitious and deliver the legislation needed, using it as the driver and mechanism through which we can ensure everyone in Wales can access a safe, suitable, sustainable and affordable home ensuring housing is a foundation mission of the government now and in the future.”