WALES Wales is a predominantly rural area, but also has some large industrial areas mainly concentrated in South Wales. The traditional heavy industries of Wales such as coal and steel have declined sharply since the 1980s, resulting in a significant rise in unemployment. Recent problems in the agricultural industry have also affected unemployment rates. The average age of the Welsh population is rising as people move to Wales to settle for their retirement. Wales is much less densely populated than England, with 140 people per square km and only 5% of the UK population. Resources listed on Homeless Pages about Wales can be sorted using the box on the right hand side. You can also find information about any resources on homelessness in the 22 different local authority areas of Wales by following the links at the bottom of this page. The National Assembly for Wales figures show that the number of recorded homeless people in Wales is continuing to grow. Shelter Cymru estimates that at least 50,000 people experience homelessness in Wales every year. The number of households needing accommodation in Wales is expected to increase by 12 per cent between 1996 and 2016. Wales also has the worst housing conditions in the UK with an estimated 225,000 people living in unfit accommodation. The causes of homelessness in Wales are varied and reflect the common reasons across the whole of the UK. Evidence from the report, Rough Sleeping in Wales, shows that more people sleep rough in the larger Welsh cities and towns than in smaller towns, although rough sleeping still occurs in some rural areas and small towns. The Welsh Assembly is responsible for monitoring homelessness policies and setting priorities that address the particular needs of the Welsh people. In 2001, the Welsh Assembly extended the homeless priority need categories to a number of vulnerable groups. It also set up the Homelessness Commission to advise on policy. The Commission produced a National Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan and recommended funding local authorities to develop their local homelessness strategies. Statistics on housing and homelessness in Wales are published by National Assembly for Wales. Organisations covering Wales: Shelter Cymru National Assembly for Wales Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Related areas: Blaenau Gwent (2) Bridgend (3) Caerphilly (1) Cardiff (4) Carmarthenshire (2) Ceredigion (1) Conwy (2) Denbighshire (1) Flintshire (1) Gwynedd (2) Isle of Anglesey (1) Merthyr Tydfil (1) Monmouthshire (1) Neath Port Talbot (2) Newport (2) Pembrokeshire (1) Powys (1) Rhondda Cynon Taff (1) Swansea (4) Torfaen (1) Vale of Glamorgan (1) Wrexham (2) UK (90)   There are 130 resources listed in this area. (including out of print resources) Sort by: To exclude out of print resources click this button   Last updated: 28/07/2004 © Copyright 2003, Resource Information Service