The Welsh Government has announced it is to invest £108m in the country's social housing stock.

The funding will be used by local authorities and Registered Social Landlords to improve homes and ensure they are safe, secure and met the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS).

Currently, 67% of all social housing in Wales (149,755 homes) meet the quality standard outlined by the Welsh Government.

As well as improving social housing, the grant will create jobs and training opportunities. Social landlords have secured £112m worth of housing contracts, 82% of which have been re-invested in Wales. £38m has gone directly on salaries for people in Wales and £53m has been spent on goods and services from Wales-based businesses.

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Making the announcement, Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, said: "We want everyone in Wales to have the opportunity to live in a good quality home within a safe and secure community. Investment in people's homes has a far reaching impact – it is vital in improving the nation's health and creating jobs and training opportunities.

"This is why we are taking decisive action to protect and improve Wales' social housing stock. In addition to this significant £108 million investment and our proposal to end Right to Buy in Wales, we are also investing over £400 million in affordable homes through our Social Housing Grant programme during this Government term."

(JP)