A plan for housing in Wales — CIH Cymru launches 2026 election manifesto 

CIH Cymru has launched its manifesto for housing ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections.

The manifesto sets out the priorities CIH Cymru members in Wales want to see a future Welsh government commit to in the next Senedd term. Central to this is the right to adequate housing.

As one customer-facing housing professional said in response to our regular sector snapshot survey series: “Housing is not an afterthought. This should be one of the top priorities in Wales and in the UK. With the right housing available, the need for social and health services may be lessened. It’s time housing is put front and centre.”

CIH Cymru’s manifesto sets out the five key priorities that will tackle the housing and homelessness emergency and help deliver an equitable Wales for this and future generations. A Wales where everyone can access a suitable, safe and affordable home.

It calls on the Welsh government to: 

1. Enshrine the right to adequate housing into Welsh law 
2. Deliver more social and affordable homes 
3. Improve our existing homes and tackling fuel poverty 
4. Address stigma associated with social housing and promote the positive impact of diverse communities 
5. Foster a professional and resilient workforce.

Alongside the manifesto, CIH Cymru has published a deeper more granular housing strategy for Wales, which sets out the facts, figures and further reading that has helped inform our policy asks.

Matt Dicks, national director of CIH Cymru, said: “We all know having a suitable, safe and affordable home is key to an equitable Wales. Yet to do this we must ensure that housing is a foundational mission of government in Wales.

“The starting point for this is incorporating a rights-based approach to housing into Welsh legislation. This will help drive the whole-system strategic approach to housing in Wales across political cycles to not only end our current housing emergency but to ensure current and future generations can access a suitable, safe and affordable home.” 

He added: “Wales needs a sustainable housing system which will help support a circular economy, eradicate stigma and ensure that our housing workforce is valued and seen for the profession it is. Our manifesto is bult on the foundation of the right to adequate housing and shows how the right can embed the change we need across Wales.  

“We hope that politicians from all parties listen to the voices of Wales’ housing professionals, and we look forward to engaging with them in the lead up to the election on behalf of our members.”

• For additional comments, interview arrangements or case studies please contact Cerys Clark policy and public affairs manager cerys.clark@cih.org