Jayne Bryant has defended allocating social housing according to need and legal eligibility after the Senedd debated proposals to end access for foreign nationals on 7 October.
The Welsh Labour housing spokesperson and MS for Casnewydd Islwyn said restricting the rights of lawful residents would affect workers, carers and others already entitled to support.
Bryant acknowledged pressures on housing and concerns about concentrations of houses in multiple occupation. She argued that those issues required investment and appropriate local action, rather than a nationality-based exclusion.
She urged the Welsh Government to build more homes, bring empty properties back into use and help councils and housing associations increase social housing supply.
The original motion, NDM9313, was defeated by 57 votes to 31. An amended motion supporting needs-based allocation within legal eligibility rules was subsequently agreed by 51 votes to 37.
The vote expresses the Senedd’s position. It does not enact a new housing law or change eligibility rules by itself.
