Welsh Housing Quality Standard

Major Investment Needed For Council Properties

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

 

 

Homes of the future unveiled for Council tenants

Council tenants in Blaenau Gwent are invited to two show homes to see what improvements transfer to a new, independent not-for-profit housing organisation, Tai Calon, would deliver for them.

The properties, in Tredegar and Ebbw Vale, have been transformed and are open to Council tenants to see what would be possible if they vote in favour of transfer in a confidential ballot planned for next year.

They were officially opened by Coun. John Mason, Executive Member of Housing on the 17th and 19th of November 2008.

The show homes have been brought up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard to show how Tai Calon’s proposed £111 million investment programme in the first five years after transfer would improve tenants’ homes and estates.

They include examples of the high standards Tai Calon could provide for tenants if they vote in favour of transfer, including:
• New kitchen units, worktops and sinks
• New bathroom suites
• New secure front and back doors and double glazed windows
• New central heating systems

Coun Mason said: “These show homes are a key part of the council’s consultation exercise.  Not only do they show what is on offer but trained staff will be on hand to answer any questions tenants may have about the transfer proposal.  We want all tenants to understand the facts about transfer so they can make an informed choice about the future of their homes.”

The Tredegar show home is at:

44 Cripps Avenue, Cefn Golau, Tredegar, NP22 3PF
It will be open on: 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th and 29th of November and 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th 13th,15th and 17th of December.

The Ebbw Vale show home is at:
31 Bryn Coch, Beaufort, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5DT
It will be open on:  20th, 22nd, 25th and 27th of November and 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th, 11th, 16th and 18th of December
Opening hours for both show homes are:
Weekdays 11am - 4pm, Saturdays 10am - 1pm

Whatever the outcome of the ballot, the show homes will be allocated to tenants in line with normal council procedures.

Tenants who would like to visit the show homes but who have difficulty with transport, can ring the Council Freephone for assistance on 0800 678 3616.

For more information about transfer, tenants can contact the Council’s
Freephone information line on 0800 678 3616, or the Independent Tenants’ Advisor, TACT@Dome, on Freephone 0800 919994.