Written question WQ86818
- Asked by
- James EvansConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the Welsh housing quality standard on residents who are disabled?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
Since 2008, the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) has asked social landlords to ‘as far as possible, suit the specific requirements of the household (e.g. specific disabilities).’
The independent evaluation of WHQS published in June 2021 concluded that ‘the improvements in the social rented stock made as a result of the WHQS have had a range of positive impacts for tenants and the wider community.’
It also stated that ‘benefits for tenants of meeting the WHQS include better health outcomes and reductions in fuel poverty with wider benefits, such as training, apprenticeships and employment achieved at the local level.’
In developing proposals for the new standard, WHQS 2023, my officials worked closely with Tai Pawb (an organisation promoting equality and social justice in housing in Wales) to develop an appropriate update. The draft standard now includes specific requirements that ‘Disabled and older people's housing requirements must be planned for and met in accordance with the duty for reasonable adjustments’.
The public consultation on the WHQS 2023 proposals ran between 11th May and 3rd August 2022. The responses to this consultation are currently being reviewed and a final version of the standard will be agreed with the sector.