Senedd Statement of Opinion tabled calling for pan-Wales assessment of the housing needs of adults with learning disabilities

Leticia Gonzalez MS has today tabled a Senedd Statement of Opinion, supporting the call by First Choice Housing Association, for a pan-Wales Assessment of the housing needs of adults with learning disabilities. This is important because without this critical data, we cannot plan effectively for the care and housing of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

FCHA is now urging Senedd Members across the political spectrum to lend their support by subscribing to the following Statement of Opinion: https://record.senedd.wales/StatementOfOpinion/545

Statement of Opinion – OPIN – 2026 - 0545 

This Senedd:

1. Supports the call by First Choice Housing Association for a pan-Wales assessment of housing needs, per local authority, for adults with learning disabilities.

2. Notes the absence of this data is contributing to a failure in the integration of care and housing for adults with learning disabilities.

3. Further notes that consequently, some of the most vulnerable people in society are being detained in hospitals, often hundreds of miles from their communities and families, with little or no plan for what will happen to them.

4. Calls on this Senedd to commit to working with Welsh Government to end this practice.

Image credit: Senedd Commission / Comisiwn y Senedd. Licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Regulatory Judgement: Green/Green for FCHA!

First Choice Housing Association has received the highest green rating from the Welsh Government’s Regulatory Judgement!

The annual judgement measures the effectiveness of Registered Social Landlords in managing their finances, service delivery, and governance.

Commenting, FCHA’s Interim Chief Executive Jason Wroe said: “This judgement is effectively a health check on the organisation’s ability to manage its core business prudently, effectively, and compliantly. These are the checks and balances that ensure that we continue to deliver services to our tenants that meet the highest standards.

“The judgement is testament to the dedication of colleagues across the organisation who work diligently to ensure that the services we provide meet the standards expected of us.

Whilst we’re naturally delighted to receive this Welsh Government stamp of approval, we won’t rest on our laurels. We provide housing to some of the most vulnerable people in society. That comes with a weight of responsibility and a duty of care to our tenants and their families. I’m fortunate to work with a passionate team who are committed to that work. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts and contribution of our partners who help us to achieve our mutual goals.”

Commenting on the judgement, FCHA Chair Matthew Wilde said: “I’m delighted that First Choice has received a Green/Green Regulatory Judgement from the Welsh Government. It is an acknowledgement of the work that has gone into strengthening the organisation’s governance and ensuring that First Choice is on a sound financial footing.

"It provides reassurance to our tenants, commissioners and partners that First Choice is well governed, financially secure and in a strong position to continue delivering for the people we support.

"The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction and ensuring the right framework is in place, but it is our exceptional staff who deliver that every day. I would like to thank everyone across FCHA for the work they have done to help us achieve this judgement and, more importantly, to provide high-quality homes and services that help our tenants live with greater independence, stability and quality of life.” You can read the full regulatory judgement on the performance section of our website.

Read the full judgement

Community Involvement Grant for Walsingham Support

FCHA provided funding and support to Walsingham Support to help them deliver their 4th annual leadership conference and celebrate their 40th anniversary.

The community involvement grant is not just funding activities for tenants, it's providing those that support our tenants the opportunity to improve and celebrate their achievements.

This years theme

Walsingham Support used the funding get together for their leadership conference.

This years theme was advocacy and empowering the people they support. There were valuable discussions about how to empower the people they support to have a voice and contribute ideas that can help people with a learning disability live their best lives.

Thanks to FCHA's support

“We couldn’t make these events as successful without your support which underpins the work that you do as a valuable partner to deliver our mission. As an organisation we are purposeful in our partnerships and share these images from the day showing what you supported."

Support Suggestions

We are so proud to continue to use the CIG to support projects like this. If you have an organisation or a tenant that could do with support from our Community Involvement Grant, please reach out to Eve!