Councillors announce £86million investment in Renfrewshire council housing

The multi-million pound investment plan will focus on new build homes, regeneration and the maintenance of existing council homes.

It will invest £86.6m up to 2022 in a range of programmes that will improve housing levels and advance the council’s commitment to provide 1,000 new, affordable homes by 2021.

Planned investment programmes include improvements to the external fabric of council houses, roof renewals, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, improved electrical wiring and heating systems and improvements to multi-storey flats and sheltered housing. Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms will also continue to be upgraded as part of a programme to meet the Scottish Government’s new standards which come into effect in February 2021.

The plan also includes provision for new build investment in affordable social housing in Renfrewshire at sites in Bishopton and Johnstone Castle, as well as new build homes on sites at Ferguslie Park, Foxbar, Gallowhill and South West Johnstone. These projects combined will provide over 400 new council homes.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “We are committed to providing high-quality, affordable homes that will encourage people to come and live and work in Renfrewshire.

“We are continuing to invest in our housing stock and this significant investment will ensure we can provide our communities with homes that are the right type, the right size and in the right place to meet their needs and improve their quality of life.

“Listening to our tenants and providing them with services that meet their needs is one of our top priorities. We are expanding our caretaking service so it will be available to tenants seven days a week. We are also investing in an additional Neighbourhood Environmental Training squad that will work with our housing teams to address estate management in council housing areas.

“We are on track to achieve our aim of providing 1,000 new, affordable homes by 2021. This, coupled with investment in our existing housing stock, will ensure a positive future for Renfrewshire and its residents.”

It was also announced that rent will increase by 2% after a consultation with more than 600 council tenants saw an overwhelming majority back the increase.

Tenants also indicated they strongly agree with the council’s housing priorities to deliver high quality services, maintain and improve existing council houses and invest in new build homes.

Councillor McGurk added: “We recognise the pressure on many households and it’s important we continue to maintain affordability for our tenants while also covering the rising costs related to maintaining our council housing stock. This increase will contribute towards our services, the maintenance of our existing housing, the delivery of our Capital Investment Programme and the development of over 400 new build homes.

“We’re committed to mitigating the impact of the slower than expected pace of UK welfare reform changes and as such have incorporated a transitional premium cap of £1.50 per week for any rent which has to be increased to ensure the change is manageable for our tenants.

“Tenants have shown their support for our housing priorities and we will work hard to meet their needs and provide high-quality housing for those who wish to rent or buy a home in Renfrewshire.”