The Welsh Government has released its new house building figures for 2024/25. The figures show a 3% fall in housing supply year-on-year - the second-lowest year on record.
The new data underlines the significant challenge to increase housing supply in Wales, and suggests that further falls in supply are still to come.
The figures for 2024/25 show:
- 4,631 new homes were completed in Wales, down from 4,771 in 2023/24.
- Of these, 73% (3,381 homes) were delivered by the private sector - 9% down from last year (3,710), and lower than the 78% share of new homes delivered by the private sector last year.
- Around 3,800 new dwellings were started in 2024/25 - down 26% on the previous year - indicating there will be further falls in supply in the years ahead.
In response to the figures, Mark Harris, Planning and Policy Advisor for Wales, said: "A further reduction in the number of homes built in Wales last year illustrates the stark challenges faced by house builders across the country.
Harris adds: "Out-of-date Local Development Plans continue to limit investment in new housing, while delays in the planning process, caused by an influx of additional policy and regulatory requirements and a lack of resource within council planning departments, create more uncertainty and costs for builders.
Harris concludes: "This downward trend is now entrenched and likely to continue unless urgent action is taken by Welsh Government to address the many barriers in the way of delivering the homes that Wales needs."