Welsh Housing Quality Standard

On 24 October 2023, Welsh Climate Change Minister Julie James introduced a new Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) which will see the biggest changes to social housing standards in more than 20 years.

The minister said the new WHQS will replace the existing Standard to ‘better reflect changes in the way people live, work and feel about their homes’.

The original Standard was introduced in 2002 and since then Welsh Government, together with social landlord delivery partners, has invested billions of pounds to significantly improve and maintain the quality of social homes across Wales.

A formal public consultation of WHQS 2023 was undertaken last year and more than 200 responses were received.

Responses were analysed and informed the final Standard.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said: "This is a bold and progressive Standard that sets ambitious targets to make a difference to the overall quality of people’s lives, raises the bar for social housing and reflects the voice of tenants in Wales. The Standard will address decarbonisation in the social housing stock, ensure that homes are of a higher quality, affordable to heat and fit for the 21st century and beyond. It is vital that we continue to lead the way in decarbonisation of housing and learn how to upgrade social housing effectively and efficiently, in ways which reduce carbon emissions, and energy bills for tenants."

WHQS 2023 sets out a new and challenging set of standards for social landlords to meet. Funding, in the region of £270 million over this term of government, is already available through the Optimised Retrofit Programme to help social landlords with meeting new elements relating to Affordable Warmth and Decarbonisation.

This financial year £70 million has been indicatively allocated to landlords on a formula funding basis and there is a commitment for a further £70 million next year.

As well focusing on affordable heat and decarbonisation, the Standard also looks to improve homes in a variety of other important ways, for example under the new Standard, all habitable rooms, staircases and landings located within the home should have suitable floor coverings at the change of tenancy and social justice issues such as improvement to the damp and mould element, broadband access and building safety.

This article originally appeared on 26 October 2023 on the ECA website.

ECA and the FSA work closely with the wider fire and security industry and government to improve standards and improve building safety. To learn more about our work and the benefits of ECA and FSA membership, click here.

--ECA

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