Linda Whittaker, Director of Housing at the Welsh Assembly Government will launch the new report ‘Housing and its Benefits – the added value’ at the CIH Cymru Conference on 28^th March at Cardiff City Hall.

The report, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government and Valleys to Coast Housing (V2C), highlights the work of the housing sector not only in helping to deliver sustainable communities but also in supporting a much wider set of Government’s key policy priorities such as raising educational performance, improving health and well-being, and delivering sustainable development.

CIH Cymru believes that, at a time of continued pressure to spend scarce public resources on health, education and security, maintaining investment in housing is critical if we are to achieve our mission of contributing to the well-being of communities. The chapters in this report highlight the areas where real benefits can be realised, and case studies show what has been achieved within our communities and across the UK.

Writing in the foreword to the report Linda Whittaker said: "Housing is a key driver in regenerating the physical environment, improving social cohesion and generating economic benefits through training and employment opportunities. However, the main benefit all of these bring is the health and wellbeing of the individuals within those areas we invest in. We are on the cusp of a great opportunity in Wales, together we must ensure it is taken. "

Kellie Beirne, CIH Cymru Chair said: "We hope that ‘Housing and its Benefits…..the added value’ makes for compelling reading and we urge as many people as possible, both within and outside the housing sector, to accept the evidence and promote both the successes of the sector to date and its inherent future potential.

"With opportunities on the horizon for an updated National Housing Strategy; strengthening of the important, permanent strategic housing role of local authorities; opportunities for cross-professional development (i.e. CIH Cymru’s role in the Regeneration Skills Collective); and good practice evolving from cross-cutting, cross-boundary collaboration (Heads of the Valleys programme), we firmly see ‘Housing and its Benefits….the added value’ as the start of a wider campaign to re-position the housing sector."

*ENDS*

Issued on behalf of the CIH by Jill Dwyer, Media Relations Officer, CIH Press Office, Octavia House, Westwood Way, Coventry CV4 8JP. Telephone 024 7685 1780. Fax: 024 7642 1756. Mob: 07786 716961. E-mail: press@cih.org

Editors Notes:

- Copies of the report Housing and its Benefits….the added value are available from CIH Cymru on 029 2076 5760 or from CIH Publications (http://www.cih.org/publications/) priced £20.

- Tai 2007: Are you being served? runs from 27^th to 29^th March 2007 at Cardiff City Hall. For more information visit http://www.cih.org/tai2007/ or call Alison Clements (CIH Cymru Policy & Public Affairs Officer) on 07748657985.

- Valleys to Coast (V2C) is the first large scale voluntary transfer housing association in Wales. Established in September 2003, V2C took responsibility for 6,400 homes and associated commercial properties from Bridgend County Borough Council and the provision of management services to some 650 leaseholders. V2C’s aim is to ensure its housing service is visible, effectively engaged with customers and communities and ultimately focused on the delivery of positive improvements. In this way, and in partnership with other agencies, we trust our agenda for change will result in homes and communities where our customers choose to live, work and stay. For more information, visit: www.v2c.org.uk

- The CIH is the professional body for individuals working in housing. Its primary aim is to maximise the contribution that housing professionals make to the well-being of communities. CIH has nearly 20,000 individual members working for local authorities, housing associations, Arms Length Management Organisations, Government bodies, educational establishments and the private sector. Further information is available at: www.cih.org

- ‘Making the Case for Housing’ is a CIH initiative to influence the next Comprehensive Spending Review. It highlights the work of the housing sector not only in helping to deliver sustainable communities but also in supporting a much wider set of social priorities such as raising educational performance, improving health and reducing crime. Continued investment in housing is critical if we are to achieve our mission of contributing to the well-being of communities.