Plaid Cymru-The Party of Wales today launched a national campaign urging all levels of government to tackle the housing crisis in Wales. They are calling for steps to be taken in order to ensure that there is an adequate provision of affordable housing in local communities across Wales.

Speaking today Jill Evans MEP, Vice President of Plaid Cymru commented: "Something must be done do something about the housing crisis in Wales. It is a crisis that is facing communities across Wales. Plaid Cymru members on Gwynedd Council have shown that action can be taken, if the desire exists to do so."

"We are campaigning - at all levels of government in Wales - for affordable housing and to ensure that young people have access to the housing market. Plaid Cymru is the only party willing to take action to ensure this."

Dafydd Iwan, President and Leader of Plaid Cymru said: "This is one of the most pressing current issues, since house prices are soaring out of control everywhere, and they bear no relation to the local economy. There should be full recognition of the fact that the present crisis will not go away unless something is done to resolve this matter.

"We must help people, and young people in particular, to get access to the housing market. In the present climate, the Assembly must give Local Authorities the power to give priority to local people, especially where the crisis is at its worst. There must also be schemes in place to control the prices of affordable housing for the future, if they are to fulfil the longterm objectives..

"The Plaid Cymru group on Gwynedd Council has pushed for this and the Council has now allocated funds and a dedicated officer in order to develop an affordable housing scheme that will satisfy local needs, both now and in the future."

Richard Parry Hughes, Leader of the Plaid Cymru Group on Gwynedd Council said:

"The housing market is almost out of control, and in order to help local people to buy homes in their towns and villages, the only answer is to provide houses where the prices will be controlled, and their ownership restricted to people who have lived locally for at least 10 years.Without such a scheme, more and more people will be forced to move from their communities , and we call on Authorities throughout Wales to follow our example in this matter."

MP for Caernarfon, Hywel Williams, has also been calling on the Westminster Government to abandon the Chancellor's proposals to give tax relief on second homes purchased as investments towards private pension funds. Pointing to the effect of these proposals on the housing market, he said:

"In view of the current crisis in terms of the lack of affordable housing and the problems facing first time buyers, which affects all parts of the UK, it is astonishing that the Labour Government in London intends to introduce a new scheme that will make it even more attractive for the well off to purchase second homes for pension purposes.

"As a result of the proposed new regulations a privileged few, who already have the means of buying second homes as pension investments, will have the added advantage of being able to sell their property free from capital gains tax, thereby benefiting from a much larger pension fund. Steps should be taken to help first time buyers to get their foot on the property ladder, rather than assisting those who are fortunate enough to be in a position to buy second and third homes."

Speaking on behalf of the Plaid Cymru group in the National Assembly for Wales, Alun Ffred Jones, AM for Caernarfon said:

"As the main opposition party in the Assembly, we ensured that affordable housing and sustainable communities in rural areas was the first inquiry undertaken by the Environment, Rural Development and Planning Committee.

"We are also tabling a motion to change planning regulations so that Planning Authorities can control the number of second homes in communities. A high percentage of second homes puts added pressure on the housing market and can undermine essential services in villages.

"We are highly disappointed by the lukewarm response of the Welsh Assembly Government to our proposals. The housing crisis demands more coherence and vision."

Ends.