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The Essex Report is the work of an independent review of affordable housing which was commissioned by the Deputy Minister in October 2007. Its aim was to explore possible mechanisms for delivering one of the Government’s main priorities – the ‘One Wales’ commitment of creating 6,500 affordable homes in Wales by 2011.

The current housing crisis has put the spotlight on the problem and has created the political will to recognise that the ‘foot will need to be heavy on the pedal for sometime’ to create a good and well distributed stock of affordable housing in Wales.

The Review Group has set out a comprehensive package of recommendations that give a clear foundation and direction for everyone involved in delivering the aspirations and targets in the ‘One Wales’ document.

It sets out the requirements for change under the strategic leadership of the Assembly Government and working with local authorities, housing associations and others to ensure delivery.

The Report gives a number of recommendations and the key conclusions are:

• the need for a strong and sustained political support to deliver affordable housing to deliver and go beyond the 6,500 houses in ‘One Wales’
• the need to work in work in close partnership with housing associations and local authorities
• to free up Housing Associations to provide more homes and community regeneration by revising the regulatory framework
• maximise all funding streams available, including private sector sources and facilitating the release of public sector land for new affordable homes
• to work with housing association consortia to increase quality and give best value
• to obtain an information base on the housing needs across Wales and target resources to meet needs
• strong emphasis on performance at local and national level to deliver targets

The report identifies that the key to delivering the reports aims are :

• the creation of a new regulatory framework for housing associations
• for each local authority to have their own targets with a housing forum, involving all key players focused on delivery
• that the Welsh Assembly Government acts as a supportive partner in terms of grant aid, planning context, finance of land lease
• the Minister to take an overall responsibility for performance and work in close liaise with key stakeholders to ensure the Government stays responsive to change in housing market

The group met or received evidence from over 70 organisations or individuals. Over 100 people also contributed through workshops or conferences.

Welcoming the findings of the report, Jocelyn Davies said:

Creating affordable housing is central to this Government’s aim of ensuring strong, sustainable communities throughout our nation. I’m grateful to Sue Essex and her team for producing this thorough report and I will consider the recommendations carefully as I map out what more needs to be done to meet the commitments in One Wales.

The Head of the Review Group, Sue Essex said:

This is a critical time for housing in Wales and we met with considerable enthusiasm within the housing sector in Wales for delivery through this change agenda to deliver for people in housing need. It is not just a matter of numbers, but making sure new housing is of the right type and quality standard, and is in the right place to meet local need and support local communities.

Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru added:

Community Housing Cymru called for this review and called for Sue Essex to lead it, we also submitted evidence and therefore are very happy to stand by these independent recommendations.

We accept the challenges it poses, not only to the Welsh Assembly Government but to our members and other stakeholders including Local Government, but have to take that challenge if we are to meet the needs of communities across Wales in a time of great hardship for the sector.

Related Information

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/housing/publications/essexreview/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/housingandcommunity/?lang=en

http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/housandcomm/affordablehousingplan/?lang=en