Propertymark supports calls for more housing options in Wales

Propertymark joins with Homes For All Cymru in calling for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to help those on low wages and those in receipt of benefits gain more access to wider housing options.

Propertymark are members of Homes For All Cymru, which brings together important housing organisations in Wales and intends to maximise the part housing contributes to the health and wellbeing of communities.

Homes For All Cymru has written to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, regarding the static level of Local Housing Allowance rates. Propertymark is supporting this letter and has also signed it.

The letter highlights that according to Zoopla data, there are only 2 per cent of available homes at Local Housing Allowance level. A report from the Bevan Foundation found that only 6 of 22 local authorities had property available to rent at Local Housing Allowance level as of February 2023. Out of these 6 authorities who had property accessible, the number homes available remain critically low.

Furthermore, Propertymark has submitted their Budget Representation to HM Treasury where they asked that Local Housing Allowance rates are pegged at the 50th percentile, if not the 30th and topped up annually to reflect market rates. This would ensure those on low wages and those in receipt of benefits have access to wider housing options that are affordable to them.

However, Local Housing Allowance rates can be inaccurate because landlords do not submit their rental data to the Valuation Office Agency. Propertymark has previously met with the Valuation Office Agency to encourage agents to submit their rental data so that Local Housing Allowance levels are more accurate.

Propertymark has long campaigned on this issue and have called for this in their Spring Budget Representation and previously they were part of an England and Wales wide coalition campaigning for increases in Local Housing Allowance levels.

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, said:

“Propertymark supports Homes For All Cymru’s call to assist those on benefits or low wages to gain greater access to a wide range of housing options. We call on the Chancellor to take our message seriously to help those struggling in general because of the cost of living crisis.”