More than nine in 10 social homes in Wales meet the Welsh Government’s Housing Quality Standard, with full compliance expected within two years.

Official figures show that at the end of March 2018, 91 per cent of homes owned by housing associations and councils in the country complied with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), up from 86 per cent last year. Housing associations achieved 99 per cent compliance, while councils reached 77 per cent. The Welsh Government has a target to reach 100 per cent WHQS compliance by 2020, with £108m available to social landlords each year for improving their stock. The WHQS measures homes on 42 factors covering state of repair, fuel efficiency, and kitchen and bathroom facilities among other categories.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh housing and regeneration minister, said: “I am clear that there is more to do, but these figures show our investment is paying off. Good-quality housing is a Welsh Government priority because it is crucial to our health and well-being. “Public Health Wales’ work tells us that poor housing costs the NHS £67m a year, so this investment is an investment in people’s health, an investment to tackle fuel poverty and an investment to improve people’s lives.”

By Patrick Mooney, editor