Affordable housing and regeneration took centre stage when local authority leaders and Welsh Government officials gathered in Ystradgynlais recently.

The Mid Wales Regional Housing Cabinet, chaired by Minister for Housing and Local Government Jane Bryant, was hosted by Powys County Council and brought together councillors and officers from both Powys and Ceredigion.

Discussions focused on boosting the supply of affordable homes, tackling homelessness and streamlining the delivery of council housing across the region.

As part of the meeting, delegates visited Ael-y-Bryn / Pen-y-Bryn, where a regeneration scheme is under way to replace outdated, hard-to-let properties with 16 high-quality, energy-efficient one-bedroom council flats. The development is the first phase of the wider Ystradgynlais Regeneration Project, aimed at breathing new life into the estate and strengthening the local community.

Attendees also toured the council’s new depot and office at Trawsffordd Road, which will support housing services in the south of Powys.

The meeting also agreed to look at how the cost of building social housing can be reduced, with the Welsh Government leading the project and Powys officers joining the group.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “We were proud to welcome Minister Jane Bryant to Ystradgynlais and share the exciting plans for the regeneration of Ael-Y-Bryn and Pen-Y-Bryn. This development will deliver high-quality, energy-efficient council homes and breathe new life into the community – it's a clear example of our commitment to building a stronger, fairer, greener Powys.

“The Regional Housing Cabinet is a vital forum for driving forward change, and I’m pleased that our housing officers will be part of the Welsh Government’s project group to look at how the cost of building social housing can be reduced. By working together, we can deliver more homes for the people who need them most and ensure our communities thrive.”