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Housing association Valleys to Coast has announced plans to invest over £30m in Bridgend's housing stock. The £31.5m funding will go towards improving existing housing stock and building new affordable homes in Bridgend.

It is the largest ever single investment made by the housing association as it marks its 20th anniversary. Valleys to Coast currently has 75 new homes under construction, which are due to be completed within the next 12 months, with another 189 in the pipeline.

The funding will also pay for substantial upgrades and improvements to existing properties so they meet energy efficiency standards alongside a comprehensive retrofit program. While vacant properties will be refurbished to increase the overall housing stock in Bridgend, with responsive repairs and maintenance implemented to ensure that properties remain safe and well-maintained.

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The multi-million-pound investment is made up of the housing association’s own reserves and additional grant funding it has secured. The grant funding includes a social housing grant of £10m and a physical adaptation grant of £300,000.

It also secured £1.5m in optimised retrofit programme funding via the Welsh Government for home energy improvements. Valleys to Coast provides over 6,000 affordable homes across Bridgend, alongside a portfolio of commercial properties, garages and leasehold flats.

It was established in 2003 as the first large-scale voluntary transfer of council-owned homes to a social housing association in Wales. It said it is now in a phase of planned growth, with more developments underway.

Group chief executive Joanne Oak said: “We’re thrilled to be marking our 20th anniversary by investing in improving our homes for the people who live in them. We recognise that housing needs are changing, and we are committed to providing good quality housing for all our tenants.

“We’re excited to continue building on our legacy and creating positive change in Bridgend and the surrounding areas. We’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of our journey and supported us as we have provided essential housing over the past two decades.”