Project requirements

The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), originally introduced in 2002, has played a central role in advancing the quality, safety, and energy efficiency of social housing in Wales. In 2021, the Welsh Government commissioned RHE Global to undertake a full review of the standard to evaluate its effectiveness and to develop a revised and forward-looking framework, namely WHQS 2023.

The aim was to establish criteria that reflected modern housing principles and technologies, including decarbonisation, affordable warmth, building and fire safety and housing health and safety, ensuring social homes in Wales continue to meet the needs of tenants. Key objectives of the project encompassed:

• Evaluating the technical strengths and limitations of the existing WHQS and guidance

• Developing the technical content of the revised WHQS, particularly around decarbonisation and health and safety

• Supporting the consultation, engagement and final publication process of the new WHQS 2023

• Aligning the standard with key Welsh Government goals, including the legal obligation to reach net zero by 2050.

Project delivery

RHE Global was appointed by the Welsh Government as the lead consultancy to deliver the full WHQS redevelopment programme over a two-year period. Our role involved project management, technical authorship, research, stakeholder engagement and policy development support.

We began by designing a project plan that incorporated milestones, cross-sector coordination, and formal routes to consultation. We worked directly with the Welsh Government to scope the formation of new standard themes, ensuring alignment with housing legislation, building regulations, the Well-being of Future Generations Act and national decarbonisation commitments.

RHE led the advancement of the technical content across the full range of WHQS themes, including revised health and safety requirements based on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), new minimum quality benchmarks (MQBs) and guidance concerning the application of energy performance targets.

Particular attention was given to the integration of decarbonisation requirements, where RHE, in partnership with specialist advisors, provided guidance on minimum energy performance thresholds, heating system criteria and the definition of affordability within the context of net zero. We worked with partner organisations to verify that all guidance encompassed both technical feasibility and tenure-specific challenges.

We also managed a multi-method consultation programme, including sector-wide surveys, local authority and RSL roundtables and thematic workshops. Our involvement covered all areas of the housing sector, registered social landlords, tenants, retrofit specialists, fire and building safety experts and tenant representative bodies in Wales.

RHE coordinated responses and used stakeholder feedback to refine the standard and associated guidance. We prepared all documentation for formal consultation and supported the Welsh Government through its publication and public communications process, culminating in the official launch of WHQS 2023 in October 2023.

Project outcomes

The outcome of the project was the provision and successful adoption of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 (WHQS 2023), the most comprehensive revision of social housing standards in Wales in over two decades.

WHQS 2023 establishes a new benchmark for the quality, safety and sustainability of social homes. Key deliverables covered:

• Full technical specification for WHQS 2023, including updated health and safety guidance aligned with HHSRS requirements

• Integration of decarbonisation pathways, with new energy performance targets:

  • Interim target: SAP75/EPC Band C by 2030

  • Final target: SAP92/EPC A by 2050

• Expanded minimum quality benchmarks relating to damp, mould, falls, fire safety, water sustainability and indoor environmental quality

• A structured monitoring framework with annual reporting requirements for housing providers.

The new standard ensures that social housing in Wales will remain safe, secure, warm and fit for residents, while helping to bring to the fore national policy ambitions for climate resilience. RHE Global is proud to have led on this project, setting a standard which is resilient and evidence-based, with clear alignment with broader Welsh Government goals.

If you would like to learn more about our evaluation, policy or other regulatory consultancy services, please contact us. We’d be pleased to discuss how we can support your work.