New Welsh Housing Survey to be launched after eight-year gap
Survey will include home inspections and fuel poverty data
A NEW nationwide housing survey is set to take place in Wales for the first time since 2017.
The Welsh Government has confirmed it will commission a new Welsh Housing Survey in 2027-28, following pressure from housing experts and members of the Senedd. The survey will provide up-to-date evidence on housing conditions, fuel poverty, and the quality of homes across Wales.
Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, said she had approved the business case to move forward with the project, which will be more detailed than the previous survey delivered in 2017-18.
The Herald understands that the survey will be broadly comparable to the English Housing Survey and will consist of two parts: a social survey and a physical home inspection. The social survey will collect data from households, including income levels and housing experiences, to support fuel poverty analysis. Meanwhile, qualified surveyors will carry out home inspections to assess the fabric and condition of properties.
Ms Bryant said: 'Administrative data like Energy Performance Certificates and council tax records are increasingly used, but they cannot fully meet our evidence requirements. A comprehensive survey is still needed.'
She added that the expanded survey will help inform a wide range of policies, including those on affordable housing, second homes, and homelessness.
A tendering process will begin by the end of the 2025-26 financial year, with fieldwork due to start in 2027-28. Headline results are expected in 2028-29, with a full report to follow in 2029-30.
The Cabinet Secretary said she would keep Members of the Senedd updated as the work progresses.
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