The Senedd has published a research paper on role of migration and other factors on the housing crisis

First reported	Story	Sources
17 Sep 2026	The findings of the report, published on 15th September, included the following: People born outside the UK were more likely to be living in privately rented housing and less likely to be living in social housing than people born in Wales, with 69% of people who had lived in the UK for less than two years being in the private rented sector. Due to an ageing population and declining birth rates, recent population growth in Wales has been driven almost entirely by migration, with a sharp fall in immigration in 2025 contributing to a overall decline in the population. The number of households, which is a more meaningful indicator of housing demand, grew by 6.0% between 2012 and 2024 due to factors such as the ageing population and smaller household sizes, as well as net migration. The increase in house prices over recent years is caused by a structural shortage of homes, the constrains of the planning system on housebuilding, and financialisation - the treatment of housing as a financial asset. Although refugees and asylum seekers represent a small proportion of migrants, the design of the asylum system, move-on arrangements, and data gaps create specific pressures for Welsh local authorities. While the Welsh Government can influence the supply side of the housing market, the main drivers of demand, such as mortgage rates, welfare policy and immigration rules, sit largely with the UK government.	IH 98744

First reported

Story

Sources

17 Sep 2026

The findings of the report, published on 15th September, included the following:

People born outside the UK were more likely to be living in privately rented housing and less likely to be living in social housing than people born in Wales, with 69% of people who had lived in the UK for less than two years being in the private rented sector.
Due to an ageing population and declining birth rates, recent population growth in Wales has been driven almost entirely by migration, with a sharp fall in immigration in 2025 contributing to a overall decline in the population.
The number of households, which is a more meaningful indicator of housing demand, grew by 6.0% between 2012 and 2024 due to factors such as the ageing population and smaller household sizes, as well as net migration.
The increase in house prices over recent years is caused by a structural shortage of homes, the constrains of the planning system on housebuilding, and financialisation - the treatment of housing as a financial asset.
Although refugees and asylum seekers represent a small proportion of migrants, the design of the asylum system, move-on arrangements, and data gaps create specific pressures for Welsh local authorities.
While the Welsh Government can influence the supply side of the housing market, the main drivers of demand, such as mortgage rates, welfare policy and immigration rules, sit largely with the UK government.

IH 98744