CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed Welsh government plans to end homelessness across the country.

Climate Change Minister Julie James introduced a white paper in the Senedd to mark World Homeless Day today, setting out how the government plans to tackle the issue.

Thomas Hollick, from homelessness charity the Wallich, cautiously welcomed the recommendations, including the scrapping of priority need and intentionality tests.

“We would have liked to have seen the report go slightly further to recommend that the local connection test is also scrapped,” Mr Hollick said.

But he applauded a consultation with more than 350 people who have lived experience of homelessness.

Ms James said: “Everyone in Wales should have somewhere to call home and today we’re marking a new chapter to help people remain in their homes and prevent anyone in Wales from experiencing homelessness.”

The white paper is heavily based on the findings of an independent expert review panel who were asked to review existing legislation.

Ms James told the Senedd that the proposals focus on improving prevention and early intervention through the introduction of significant reforms to the existing Welsh homelessness and housing system.

“The intention is to prevent the risk of homelessness at an early stage and responsibility for identification and prevention will be shared across the Welsh public service,” Ms James said.

Plaid’s Sionedd Williams said nothing depicts the failure of a society more than people living on the streets and welcomed the white paper.

Ms Williams wanted to know where funding would come from to sustain the measures for the long term.

Responding, Mr James said: “We are trying to take short-term and long-term measures in difficult economic circumstances.

“We are trying to take innovative measures such as making the rooms above shops available as living space, which does help provide more accommodation for people at very little cost.”

Reforming housing law is a key part of the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru to end all forms of homelessness in Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s co-operation agreement lead Sian Gwenllian said: “This white paper sets out new proposals to end homelessness.

“We are committed to new legal reforms and ways of working that will make a real difference to people’s lives.”