The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) is a new set of standards that Local Authority homes must reach by 2012 and be maintained in the future.

The WHQS requires all properties to be:
      

• In a good state of repair
• Safe and secure
• Adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated
• Contain up to date kitchens and bathrooms
• Well managed
• In attractive and safe environments
• Suitable for specific households

In order for any authority to meet this standard it needs to invest a substantial amount of money into its properties.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is currently in the process of producing its business plan which will highlight the amount of investment required to bring the properties up to the required standard. This will also contain an options appraisal which will look at the alternative methods available to the Authority for delivering the WHQS.

Tenants will be placed at the heart of this process and will be informed of the options from the study when this information is available.