Flintshire affordable housing shortfall grows, council report warns

Flintshire needs additional investment in housing to fully meet demand, despite receiving £17-18 million per year from Welsh Government to support affordable home development.

The county’s latest Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) shows a shortfall of 432 affordable homes per year, with a particular need for both large family homes and smaller one- and two-bedroom properties.

Welsh Government funding, through programmes such as the Planned Development Programme (PDP) and the Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP), plays a key role in addressing housing needs. However, Flintshire County Council’s report acknowledges that even with this support, the supply of affordable homes will not be enough to close the gap entirely.

The shortfall figure is not a fixed target but reflects the difference between predicted housing demand and what is currently planned, including homes already approved through Section 106 agreements with developers.

These agreements ensure that between 15% and 40% of new housing developments include affordable homes, depending on location.

However, rising homelessness in Flintshire and across the UK has intensified demand.

The report makes clear that meeting the county’s housing needs in full will require further investment beyond what is currently allocated.

Stakeholder consultations, including feedback from estate agents, housing associations, and private landlords, have reinforced concerns about the availability of affordable housing.

The LHMA findings will now be submitted to Welsh Government and will inform Flintshire’s new Housing Strategy, set to be finalised later this year.

The Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) will be discussed by the Community and Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 12th March 2025.