Housing Strategy for Conwy County to be discussed by Councillors

Housing Strategy for Conwy County to be discussed by Councillors

Draft Housing and Homelessness Strategy

Councillors at Conwy County Borough Council are being asked to consider a Draft Housing and Homelessness Strategy for 2026 to 2031 at meetings over the next couple of weeks, and give permission for a consultation with the public.

The Strategy sets out the vision to make sure that, “People in Conwy have access to affordable, good quality accommodation that enhances the quality of their lives and homelessness is rare, brief and unrepeated.”

It outlines a five-year plan to tackle the housing challenges facing Conwy County, prevent homelessness, and help to create sustainable communities. These aims for housing are at the heart of one of the goals of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Strategy for 2026–2031 builds on the significant achievements of the Council’s previous version which, over the course of the last five years, was supported with over £65 million secured from Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant. This funding was used to develop new affordable housing. The Council worked in partnership with registered social landlords and other key stakeholders to deliver these homes, ensuring high-quality, sustainable developments that meet local housing needs.

In addition, between 2018/19 and 2024/25, 294 empty properties were brought back into use, 56 of which were made available to families needing affordable homes, and over 3,000 households were supported by the Council’s experienced housing team and its partners to prevent or resolve homelessness. Housing adaptions made to 713 properties also meant that residents with disabilities were able to stay in their homes.

Now, the Strategy for 2026–2031 sets out key priorities to continue this work. Five plans will support the strategy: striving to maximise the availability of affordable housing; bringing the lost resource of empty homes back into use; using the Welsh Government Housing Support Grant to provide targeted assistance for those at risk of homelessness and to improve access to support services; working on the supply of private sector housing; and preventing homelessness. Action Plans will monitor progress and drive delivery of the Strategy.

Councillor Stephen Price, Cabinet Member for Housing, said, “Access to safe, affordable homes through the whole Conwy County is fundamental to health, wellbeing, and community resilience. This strategy sets out how we will work with partners to deliver real change for people in Conwy.”

The Strategy has been put together with input from a range of partner organisations including Registered Social Landlords, private landlords, and, most importantly, with feedback from individuals and families sharing their experiences of housing and homelessness. If Councillors approve the Draft Strategy, the public will be asked to give their opinions on the document in a consultation.

The Draft Strategy will be discussed at Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 21 January 2026 (Conwy Local Democracy : Agenda for Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 5.30 pm), and then Cabinet on 27 January 2026 (Conwy Local Democracy : Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, 2.00 pm) and if agreed, the consultation with the public will take place in the coming months.

More information about housing, and the services and support the Council’s Housing Team  are able to provide, can be found on the Council’s website Housing - Conwy County Borough Council