With nine months until voters head to the polls for the Senedd election, Shelter Cymru has launched a manifesto to rebuild Wales’ broken housing system.
The publication, which encourages people to Vote for Home, was launched by the charity on the Maes at the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (National Eisteddfod) in Wrexham yesterday.
“Our manifesto is rooted in the thousands of conversations we have every year with people affected by the housing emergency,” explained Lauren Caley, Policy and Public Affairs Manager.
The election on 7 May 2026 will mark the biggest change to the Senedd for 25 years, with voters electing 96 Members to new constituencies, using a different voting system.
Shelter Cymru’s manifesto calls on the next Welsh Government to create a system where people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness are treated as individuals and offered the support they need.
It asks incoming MSs to build a Wales where private renting works for renters, meaning that rents are genuinely affordable and people aren’t living in fear of an unprompted eviction.
The manifesto also calls on the future Welsh Government to ensure we have enough social homes and accessible homes for everyone who needs them.
“Wales is in the middle of a housing emergency that is being felt in every part of the country,” said Lauren. “We can’t go on as we are, watching it devastate our communities.”
Recent work by the Policy and Research team has revealed that 94,000 households in Wales – one in 14 – are currently waiting for a social home.
“Each of these households has their own story to share,” she added. “Some are stuck living in temporary accommodation. Others will be struggling to afford the rapidly rising private rents.
“Some will be one of the nearly 30,000 families in Wales living in overcrowded homes. Others still will be living in hidden homelessness, perhaps sofa surfing with friends or living in vehicles.”
Shelter Cymru, Tai Pawb and CIH Cymru are also calling on the next Welsh Government to create a legal right to home by bringing the UN right to adequate housing into Welsh law.
The team will be at the Eisteddfod all week and look forward to having conversations with people of all ages, from all over the country, about what home means to them.
Recalling some powerful conversations at the Eisteddfod last year, Lauren said some children and young people told her they associated home with “family”, “comfort” and “feeling safe”.
“Year after year, people have shared their housing concerns with me and my colleagues at our event stands,” she said.
“This year, we hope to show people that there is a route to change. But we need to tell our political candidates very clearly that homes are a priority for every one of us.”
Lauren added: “The housing emergency in Wales has been created over the last 40 years, thanks to decisions made by the UK and Welsh Governments.
“This means that those same bodies can take decisive, bold action to steer Wales out of this emergency and ensure that everyone has a safe, stable, genuinely affordable home.”
Last year, Shelter Cymru helped more than 21,000 people and every day, colleagues see the impact of homelessness, as well as unaffordable, unsafe, overcrowded and unstable homes.
“We know that none of these changes will be easy, but they are achievable,” said Lauren.
“At the end of the day, each one of them is essential to making sure everyone in Wales has the home they need to build a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.
“Change is possible. Ending the housing emergency is possible. But to make it happen, we have to demand it. We have to vote for home at the polls next spring.”
Sign our pledge today and tell the people who want to be our next government that we will Vote for Home.
5 August 2025
By Liz Day
