Welsh Government introduces “new and challenging set of standards” for social landlords

The Welsh Government has this week introduced a new Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) which it said would see “the biggest changes to social housing standards in more than 20 years”.

Climate Change Minister Julie James said the new WHQS would replace the existing Standard, which was introduced in 2002, and “better reflect changes in the way people live, work and feel about their homes”.

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, the Welsh Government said.

It added that WHQS 2023 “sets out a new and challenging set of standards for social landlords to meet”.

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.”

She added: “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.

“What we learn from upgrading the 230,000 social homes in Wales will drive how we as a nation tackle decarbonising the 1.2 million privately owned homes in Wales.

“The challenge of retrofitting the existing housing stock is vast. Every single house has a different history and therefore, our mission is to reduce carbon emissions home by home, and street by street.”

The minister continued: “I am confident that this is the right Standard at the right time, but implementation will not be without its challenges.”