Welsh assess progress on quality standard

The assembly sent out a questionnaire for social landlords across the country on how well they are doing on all aspects of the standard this summer.

A WAG spokesperson said: ‘We are currently working on interpreting the data. We will publish the report towards the end of the year.’

The assembly is now planning to gather information annually.

Vikki Hiscocks, policy and public affairs manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said: ‘This exercise will give us a clearer picture of the scale of the challenge remaining and should help inform future national policy around the quality of social housing in Wales.’

Welsh landlords are struggling to meet the 2012 WHQS deadline. The assembly government has already given extended deadlines to five local authorities and three housing associations.

Now Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd Cyfyngedig, an industrial and provident society with charitable rules which took ownership of Gwynedd Council’s stock, and Tai Calon Community Housing, which took on Blaenau Gwent Council’s stock, have extensions until 2015.

The Wales Audit Office is also looking at progress towards meeting the standard. It will visit landlords and is expected to publish its results in April next year.