Ceredigion Council has recently welcomed some great news for all of those on its housing waiting list. Everybody is forced to reapply for social housing as the council acts to meet rising demand. The council’s waiting list has since ballooned to over 2,000 people. This increase is driven by significant system-wide changes since the last system review in 2019. The housing register will remain closed to new applications until 5th July. State and local officials are on the front lines of addressing increasing, urgent demand for housing and homelessness services.
The council considered their action in light of three key elements. Concerted action and pressure in the direction of solving the cost of living crisis. Further increasing attention from the Welsh government towards tackling homelessness. In Wales, over 94,000 households are now on the list waiting for a social home. At the current delivery rate, it would take more than 35 years to eliminate this backlog. The Welsh government is responding to the crisis with startling urgency and courage. They’ve upped their game – with almost £2 billion in social housing investment over this current Senedd term.
A woman from Ceredigion who has been on the waiting list for a social house for two years. Though her project is ranked in Band A—the highest priority category—she’s frustrated with the process.
“I have no faith in our council, they don’t listen. I’m in Band A and have been waiting for two years,” – Anonymous woman.
Natural England’s spokesperson told worried applicants that all remain eligible to reapply for the register up until 31st January, 2026. If they choose, the council will respect the commencement date of their initial application and will not expect further paperwork, including medical letters.
Ceredigion Council is still working off a housing register that hasn’t been updated since 2019. Local officials are finding that situation ever-more unsustainable because of today’s climate. As legal expert Ruth Power cautioned, vulnerable groups continue to be risked in light of our persistent housing crisis.
“This is an enduring housing emergency,” – Ruth Power.
The Welsh government has made tackling homelessness a top priority. A government spokesperson previously stated,
“Put simply, we’re not going to end the housing emergency in Wales unless we significantly increase the pace and urgency with which we’re delivering social homes.”
Despite the challenges, the Welsh government continues to adopt a “no-one left out” approach to ensure nobody is forced to sleep rough. Preventing homelessness support schemes such as Help to Stay help to mitigate homelessness before it can happen.
It subsequently requires Ceredigion residents to reapply and signifies a growing trend among Welsh councils to implement this decision. Better social housing registers are essential to balance social housing demand fairly. Currently, each council keeps its own register, which this recent move is expected to simplify and help to direct resources more effectively.
Though Ceredigion continues to make progress through this housing crisis, local communities continue to suffer from the impacts of years-long wait times. One person explained her concern for people who were in worse circumstances than her own.
“My situation isn’t great but I really feel for people who are more vulnerable – it’s absolutely heart-breaking for them,” – Anonymous woman.
