John Puzey

John Puzey is a prominent housing campaigner and was director of Shelter Cymru, Wales’ leading independent housing and homelessness charity, for more than 30 years until his retirement in October 2020.

He oversaw the growth and development of the charity to providing a wide range of housing advice services as well as increasing its campaigning and policy profile. Shelter Cymru began delivering advice in 5 local authority areas and has grown to provide housing advice across the whole of Wales, both in face-to-face settings and through an all-Wales Freefone service, supporting around 20,000 people a year.

Under his leadership, Shelter Cymru responded swiftly to the Covid-19 crisis, ensuring all services remained in place and were able to continue to advise and support people in housing need.

He has served on a number of Welsh Government advisory groups most recently the Housing Ministers Homelessness Action Group. He was a founding chair of Rough Sleepers Cymru and Housing Forum Cymru.

John has written or contributed to a wide range of reports and publications concerning housing and homelessness and is a frequent public speaker and broadcaster on housing and related matters.

In his spare time, he is Chair of the Pontardawe Film Society.