City faces up to rising housing pressures

UNPRECEDENTED housing pressures are placing more people in Wales' fastest growing city at risk of homelessness.

- NICHOLAS THOMAS

Newport's city council said it has made progress in tackling homelessness in the past year - halving the number of people sleeping rough and helping move more families from temporary accommodation to a more stable home.

Meanwhile, initiatives such as Homewards, set up by Prince William, have brought organisations and charities together to take a more holistic approach to the issue and bring “everyone around the table”.

Despite these optimistic signs, senior councillors have warned that demand for properties in the city far outstrips supply, and more homes must be built.

In a call for compassion and better understanding of the issue, they also said enduring stereotypes around homelessness must also be changed.