£35 million investment in Welsh homes for the future

Low carbon housing, retrofitting to improve energy efficiency and training opportunities for prisoners will feature in projects receiving funding to create affordable homes for the future.

The Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme funding is focused on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) this year, in particular using Welsh timber and supply chains to support our green recovery and move towards a low carbon economy.

Projects supported by this year’s round of funding include: £3 million for Pobl Group to build over 90 zero carbon social homes in Blaenau Gwent, by a Valley’s based MMC producer, using timber frame design; ClwydAlyn are building 63 timber frame homes to be whole life zero carbon, built by a Welsh MMC; and Tai Tarian will build 55 new homes and retrofit 72 existing ones in Port Talbot, increasing energy efficiency and reducing fuel bills for tenants. The new homes will be built in Neath Port Talbot by a local family-run MMC partner.

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James said: “This £35 million investment will deliver 400 factory-built homes, all of which will be produced by local Welsh companies and their supply chains. We are committed to building more high quality homes in factories here in Wales. In Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association have shown what we can achieve together. With local suppliers, they have built 38 timber-framed, low carbon homes with extremely low running costs which will put more money in tenant’s pockets.

“Partnering with Williams Homes, a Bala-based company, means the frames were all manufactured locally. This created six training opportunities and helped Welsh businesses using modern methods of construction to grow. I’m pleased to see residents are now moving in to these fantastic homes and seeing the benefits.”