Homelessness is not inevitable but the number of people facing homelessness in Wales has been rising. We have the power to change this. Together, we can turn the tide.
Every day here at Crisis in Wales, we see the traumatic impact of homelessness. Homelessness can affect all aspects of people’s lives - our mental and physical wellbeing, work, education and our relationships.
Everyone needs a safe and stable space to call home but across every part of Wales, the number of people facing homelessness has been rising. Our latest research shows that without urgent action, homelessness in Wales could rise another 24% by 2041.
It doesn't have to be this way. We know it is possible to create a Wales where early support helps to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place, where people experiencing homelessness can get the help they need, and where people can access affordable homes.
With the right system changes, we can build a future where everyone in Wales has a safe, secure place to live.
With the May 2026 Senedd election approaching, find out what we're asking political parties to do to end homelessness in Wales and how you can get involved.
We know that ending homelessness in Wales is possible. But it requires political commitments to:
Crisis has long been calling for changes to the law on homelessness. On 10 February 2026, we celebrated as Members of the Senedd unanimously voted to pass the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations (Wales) Bill into law.
The new law, which will be phased in over the coming years, includes many of the key changes we have been calling for, such as:
This new law heavily reflects many of the recommendations made by the Expert Review Panel on homelessness, which Crisis co-ordinated in 2022.
Over the last few years, Crisis has been ensuring that the voices of our members with lived experience have been heard as this law was shaped.
But we won’t stop here. We’ll now be calling for a clear implementation plan, strong guidance and resourcing for the new law so that it can be as effective as possible in helping to work towards ending homelessness in Wales.
These statistics from the Welsh Government show how urgent it is for us to press ahead and make the changes needed to end homelessness across the country.
households were homeless and getting help from their council in 2024/25.
people were living in temporary accommodation in July 2025, including 2,888 in B&Bs and hotels.
children were staying in temporary accommodation in July 2025.
While efforts have been made to increase affordable homes, Wales still desperately needs more social housing. Thousands of people face long waiting lists, with many forced into temporary accommodation or unsuitable private rentals. Without enough social homes, people are more likely to experience housing instability and homelessness.
Social housing is critical for preventing homelessness, providing stability for people and reducing pressure on local services.
The next Welsh Government must commit to further ambitious social housebuilding targets, which meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. There must be sustained funding, and we must ensure social homes are genuinely affordable and accessible to those who need them most. With the right political commitment, we can build the homes Wales urgently needs and stop more people being pushed into homelessness.
The Welsh Senedd election in May 2026 comes at a pivotal moment in the housing crisis Wales is facing. Wales continues to see rising housing costs, limited availability of secure, affordable homes and, in recent years, high numbers of people at risk of homelessness.
This election is our chance to speak up and demand further action on homelessness. If political candidates and parties want our votes, they must commit to ending homelessness for good.
We’re calling on all political parties to prioritise action that strengthens prevention, increases affordable housing and ensures people receive the support they need long before they reach crisis point. That’s why Crisis has supported changes to the law on homelessness in Wales. But changing the law is only part of the solution. The next Welsh Government and parliament must make sure new homelessness legislation is properly funded and works in practice, with public services working together to prevent homelessness before it happens.
By committing to meaningful reform and ensuring we have the housing supply needed, the next Welsh Government can help ensure everyone in Wales has a safe and stable place to call home.
Some of the levers to end homelessness in Wales sit with the UK Government. That’s why we need to see changes in Westminster as well as at the Senedd.
For example, with rising living costs, many people in Wales are struggling to find or keep a home that’s affordable. Making changes to housing benefit could play a role in preventing and ending homelessness in Wales.
Our Crisis Wales policy team will soon be giving evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee at Westminster to highlight the impact that decisions at the UK Government can have on homelessness in Wales.