'Bold action' needed for homelessness in Wales, says charity
New Welsh Government statistics show a rise in people being housed in temporary accommodation to over ten thousand in May 2025
New Welsh Government statistics show a rise in people being housed in temporary accommodation to over ten thousand in May 2025.
There were 1,341 cases of homeless people placed into temporary accommodation in May 2025.
Debbie Thomas, from Crisis Cymru, says they can't keep up with demand:
"We know that housing services are struggling with the high numbers.
"Living in temporary accommodation is incredibly challenging:, often you can't have visitors and you lack access to basic facilities like cooking and laundry facility.
The data reveals 10,944 people were housed in temporary accommodation on 31 May 2025; the most common type of temporary accommodation was bed and breakfast and hotels, housing 2,881 individuals.
Debbie continues:
"It's absolutely critical that we bring forward changes to the homelessness law to ensure that everyone can get the support that they need at the earliest possible point, and we can prevent the homelessness from rising even further.
"We must take bold action to turn the tide on homelessness"
"We must take bold action to turn the tide on homelessness"
The Welsh Conservatives say they're 'concerned' over these figures with Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Housing & Local Government, Joel James MS, saying:
“Labour has failed to get a grip on homelessness in Wales for more than two decades. With the number of rough sleeping rising as well as those placed in temporary accommodation, it is clear that Labour's current plans are simply not working.
“Successive Labour Ministers have dismissed all warnings and ignored repeated advice. Their own policies, such as their Renting Homes Wales Act, are making the situation worse.
“Beyond these statistics lies a very real human cost that cannot be ignored. The Welsh Government must adopt more effective and sustainable approaches that ensure long-term stability and support for affected individuals and families.”
New data: approx. 131 individuals sleeping rough throughout Wales on 31 May 2025.
There were an estimated 131 individuals sleeping rough throughout Wales on 31 May 2025.
In response, the Welsh Government says:
“The high numbers of people being supported with temporary accommodation reflects the ongoing pressures within the system and the effect of the cost-of-living crisis.”
“We continue to take a ‘no-one left out’ approach in Wales so that no one should be forced to sleep rough and are investing over £240m in homelessness prevention and housing support this year alone.”