Improvement in housing conditions across Wales encouraging says CIH Cymru

Today the Welsh government published the results of the Welsh Housing Conditions Survey 2017-18 which shows a positive improvement in housing conditions since the previous survey in 2008.

The findings reflected:

• Wales has the oldest housing stock in the UK, with a similar spread of housing types.
• the proportion of dwellings in the private rented sector has increased considerably since 1986. The private rented sector generally has the oldest housing stock and a higher proportion of poor quality housing (e.g. containing damp or other hazards).
• social housing is generally of better quality than private housing (both owner occupied and private rented); as are newer houses.
• the average energy efficiency band has improved from Band E in 2008 to Band D in 2017-18.

The survey undertook fieldwork collecting data on home across all tenures in Wales. Reflecting on the survey results Matt Dicks CIH Cymru director said:

“It is very encouraging to see the findings reflect the quality of homes in the social housing sector – this is clearly a result from the considerable effort by housing professionals backed by Welsh Government investment to deliver the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

However, our Perceptions of housing report delivered through our Tyfu Tai Cymru project, highlighted that 47 per cent of home-owners and 42 per cent of private sector tenants would never want to live in social housing. The quality of homes in this part of the sector is something we all have a role to play in highlighting to the wider public.

In addition, with a focus on increasing the standards and sustainability of homes in the social sector it is also paramount that we support the ability of private sector landlords to invest in their homes, access skills and cutting-edge technologies. We urge the Welsh Government to do more to ensure that as we strive for better quality homes, we do not increase inequalities between homes across the different tenures.”