SOCIAL housing landlords are investing hundreds of millions of pounds bringing properties up to decent standards in Gwent, figures obtained by the Argus reveal.

Blaenau Gwent social landlord Tai Calon Community Housing is the biggest spender with plans to spend £111m to improve its 6,100 homes by 2015.

The overall spend in the five boroughs in Gwent is set to top £200m by 2016.

The investment will help to bring all the properties to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard giving tenants safe homes in a good state of repair with proper heating and insulation and modern kitchens and bathrooms.

New homes are also set to be built in two of the boroughs, Monmouth and Torfaen. Tai Calon property services director Bill Pearch said: “We are determined to provide homes in communities where people are proud to live and visit. We are also committed to generating jobs in Blaenau Gwent and expect businesses working with us to do the same.” Caerphilly council, which has the only remaining council houses in Gwent, signed a £70m contract with building company Robert Price in July to work on its 11,000 properties for the next three years.

Meanwhile, Newport City Homes poured £27m into its properties last year and is set to spend up to £25m in 2014/15.

The landlord expects to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard for its 10,000 or so residents by the end of 2015.

Monmonthshire Housing Association said it had achieved the quality standard in March this year.

MHA has invested nearly £12m refurbishing and upgrading its stock since April 2012 and hopes to build nearly 50 new properties in 2014/15.

Torfaen social landlord Bron Afon Community Housing spent £15m improving properties in 2012/13 and has invested £8.5m since April.

A Bron Afon spokesman added that it had submitted applications to work on new housing developments from April 2014.