Homelessness charities in Cardiff have seen an increase in demand up-to 300% as Senedd members declare the housing crisis a “far-reaching systemic problem”.

This year Helping our Homeless Wales, a homeless prevention and support charity, has had nearly triple the number of those in need making use of the services and provisions they provide. The charity supplies hot drinks and food to rough sleepers in Cardiff, along with care packages that include warm clothes, sleeping bags and tents.

Simon Price, a volunteer at Helping our Homeless Wales, thinks the Welsh government’s efforts to tackle homelessness have dwindled since the end of the pandemic. Noting a sharp increase in rough sleepers who have sought their support since the charity started.

He Said: “We started seven years ago, and we’d see thirty or forty, now we’re seeing about ninety people that are wanting food.

“When COVID was on, they managed to get people off of the streets, to protect them and others, and yet as soon as the pandemic is over, they’re back out on the streets.”

Rhys, who’s been living homeless in Cardiff for the last year, believes that the housing and homeless situation in the Welsh capital is much worse than people realise, with some preferring a prison cell to the dangerous living conditions on the streets.

He said: “To be honest with you, if you’d asked me this time last year, I’d have said it’s not that bad but having been in this situation over the last year it’s been eye-opening, it’s a lot worse than I realized it was. The housing situation, the homeless situation and the drug situation in Cardiff, it’s all a hell of a lot worse than anyone realizes.

“I know quite a few homeless people who’ve said they’d rather be back in prison than on the streets, I’ve lost count in the last few months of those who have died on the streets.”

Shadow housing minister, Janet Finch Saunders MS, challenged the Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford, declaring the housing crisis a “far-reaching systemic problem” and that the Welsh government aren’t doing enough to tackle the issue.

She said: “Homelessness is a key measure of a society’s prosperity. Homelessness has become a far-reaching systemic problem in Wales today. It breaks my heart to see more people sleeping rough or stuck in a system of temporary accommodation.

“In a modern society such as ours in Wales it is deeply upsetting to hear these stories from the people of Wales. The Welsh Government must do more to address these issues and the housing crisis more widely.”

In 2023 the Welsh government said it was investing over £210 million into homelessness prevention and support services, while also pledging a record £330 million in social housing.

A spokesperson said: “The Welsh government continues to take a ‘no-one left out’ approach to homelessness, so that regardless of the weather no-one is forced to sleep rough in Wales… Rough sleeping is a complex issue”.