Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)

To date, we have invested over £243 million in our homes (which includes a yearly £4.2million Dowry from Welsh Government) to ensure they are maintained to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

We have recently finalised a £105 million long-term debt refinancing partnership with NatWest Group. This landmark agreement concluded on Friday, 28th July 2023 and is the start of a new era of growth and progress for Tai Calon and the communities it serves.

The Welsh Housing Quality standard 2023 (WHQS 2023) are guidelines set to improve the quality of social housing in Wales. It focuses on ensuring homes are safe, warm and suitable for modern living, reflecting today’s challenges such as climate change and rising energy bills.

At Tai Calon we do more than just provide homes-we make sure they are safe, warm and affordable for you and your family.

New key updates include:

1. Energy, efficiency and Decarbonization: Enhanced requirements to make homes more energy-efficient.
2. Security and safety: Homes must meet updated safety standards
3. Modern Amenities: Requirements for up-to-date utility areas.
4. Wellbeing and Comfort: Homes should promote Tenant wellbeing, with comfortable living spaces and suitable gardens.
5. Tenant Engagement: An increased focus on involving tenants in the improvement process.

What does this mean for you?

To meet the new standards, we will be working to make sure your home:

• Is in a good state of repair
• Is safe and secure
• Is energy-efficient and kind to the environment
• Has a modern kitchen and bathroom
• Is comfortable and suits your lifestyle
• Ideally has a garden or suitable outside space.

Why is this important?

The original WHQS was introduced back in 2002 to address disrepair and rising energy costs. The new WHQS 2023 reflects today’s challenges and adapts to the evolving needs of people who live in social housing.

This new standard builds on the previous version and continues to drive up and maintain the quality of social housing in Wales. It focuses on eight key elements::

1. Homes must be in good condition.
2. They should be safe and secure.
3. Homes must be affordable to heat and have minimal environmental impact.
4. Living spaces should promote comfort and well-being.
5. Kitchens and utility areas must be modern and functional.
6. Bathrooms should be up-to-date
7. Outdoor spaces, including gardens, must be suitable for residents’ needs.
8. Communal and external areas should be practical.

The new standards focus even more on what matters to you by:

• Putting your wellbeing first
• Helping us to reduce energy costs and support the environment
• Involving you when making decisions.

Working with you!

Here at Tai Calon we are committed to listening to you when making decisions. We know that your feedback is key to getting things right.
We want to keep sharing updates and opportunities for you to get involved and very much encourage participation. Your feedback is very important to us.