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No target date set for social housing to reach EPC A, Welsh government confirms
The Welsh cabinet secretary for housing, local government and planning has confirmed the government does not have a target for social housing to reach Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band A by 2030.
In response to a request for clarification on the policy, Julie James said the Welsh government had “never” set a deadline for reaching the rating, but instead has a goal for all social housing to reach EPC A “in future”.
The concern was discussed at a meeting of the Local Government and Housing Committee on Wednesday.
Responding to a letter from Llyr Gruffydd, a Plaid Cymru politician and chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, Ms James wrote that the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 “requires all social landlords to fully understand their homes and the steps required to meet EPC A”.
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This means landlords must carry out a stock assessment and produce individual targeted energy pathways (TEPs) for every home – which include the improvements that need to be made – by 31 March 2027, she said.
The original consultation proposal for the WHQS included a deadline of 2033 for EPC A, Ms James said it encountered “strong opposition” over “concerns around practicality, cost, supply chains and skills, and the finalised standard took account of the strong feeling from across the housing sector”.
The consultation responses showed that 94% of social landlords, 63% of technical experts and 60% of representative bodies disagreed with setting a 2033 target.
In April this year, the WHQS 2023 replaced the previous goal of reaching EPC D. Ms James said this target had been achieved.
The timescale for achieving EPC A will only be determined after the TEPs have been produced.
“It is only once these actions have been undertaken, will we be able to clarify when all social homes will achieve EPC A,” she said.
An interim target has been set for all social homes to reach EPC C by 31 March 2030. An initial goal had been EPC C by 2029.
All new build social homes funded by social housing grant are achieving EPC A or similar, such as the Passivhaus standard, Ms James said.
In May, respondents to a cross-party committee of Senedd members into the supply of social housing expressed concerns over funding for the WHQS.
The original standard was introduced in 2002. A formal public consultation for WHQS 2023 was undertaken in 2022, receiving more than 200 responses.
As well as focusing on affordable heat and decarbonisation, the standard looks to improve the comfort of the homes, including up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms.
All habitable rooms, staircases and landings located within the home should have suitable floor coverings at the change of tenancy, alongside improving issues such as damp and mould, broadband access and building safety.
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