Housing association near Glasgow reveals housing plan
The ambitious plan includes building 168 new homes for social rent, 16 mid-market rent homes (part of new developments) and buying 47 existing homes for social rent over the next five years.
The plan has been outlined as part of a new strategic agreement launched between Barrhead Housing and East Renfrewshire Council (ERC).
The agreement formally recognises how the two organisations will work together to increase and improve housing supply and services, contribute to regeneration, provide support for the most vulnerable and progress carbon reduction in the years ahead.
The agreement will also support the development of employees at both organisations.
Lorna Wilson, Barrhead Housing chief executive said: 'This agreement will make a real difference in addressing the housing emergency in East Renfrewshire.
'This will include building over 150 new homes for social rent and 16 for mid-market rent, as well as purchasing up to 50 existing homes from the open market.
'These ambitious plans will deliver attractive, modern homes that are energy-efficient and affordable to heat, ensuring we reduce our carbon footprint and meet our fuel-poverty and net zero targets.'
READ NEXT: East Renfrewshire Council slammed over Barrhead flat issue
Although non-binding, and not a legal document, both parties, through agreeing it, are expressing commitment to the objectives within the agreement.
It sets out how they will work together to deliver the strategic housing priorities set out in East Renfrewshire's Local Housing Strategy (2024-29) and more broadly the range of shared objectives set out in 'A Place to Grow', the community planning vision for the area over the next 15 years.
Two areas are mentioned in the agreement as identified by ERC as strategic sites for development over the next five years.
One of these is Blackburn Square in Barrhead, a vacant site and formerly the base of a local community centre.
Through an established partnership, ERC and Barrhead Housing are currently underway with plans to develop this space for sustainably designed, lifetime homes.
The project is being used as a pilot to identify sustainable design elements for the building fabric, design and ongoing energy requirements, as well as providing homes adaptable to the households changing needs.
READ NEXT: Plans to flatten house with 'extensive rot and damp'
Arthurlie Juniors FC's ground in Barrhead is also mentioned as a 'forthcoming site' and a development opportunity with the potential relocation of the ground to another site to support the development of modern facilities for league participation.
'This is a central site in Barrhead, close to existing Barrhead Housing homes and in a key town centre location, making it a preferred location for housing development,' added the agreement.
'ERC and Barrhead Housing will work together to enable this project to proceed with agreement of the club.'
Speaking at the agreement's launch event, Councillor Danny Devlin, convener for environment and housing, said: 'Today marks a formal commitment, but Barrhead Housing has long been one of our key partners in the local community.
'This strategic agreement acknowledges the vital role our partnership plays, so I'm delighted it is now in place and we can continue to work together and provide our tenants and the wider community with a service we can all be proud of.'
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