Improving lives of disabled tenants
Council build homes in Glencairn site
A group of volunteers, working with housing services to improve access for people with disabilities, enjoyed a recent visit to the council’s latest newbuild development in Glencairn, Motherwell.
The group is made up of locals with disabilities and they meet with the local authority on a regular basis to co-produce housing strategy and ensure the housing needs of disabled people are being met.
One of the group’s priorities is the accessibility and suitability of new build housing; both social rented and private sector.
And their visit to the new homes at the former Glencairn Tower site gave them the opportunity to see for themselves how their ideas are being rolled out.
Gerry Murphy, a member of the group, said: “It’s exciting to see how accessibility is being considered across the range of house types, and that it’s not just wheelchair bungalows and amenity housing.
“I’m also really pleased to see some of the eco measures the council is using. The addition of solar panels is excellent, as older people and people with disabilities can often have higher fuel bills as they can spend more time at home. The measures are great and will help reduce bills. We are also really pleased with the space standards and the design such as storage space for wheelchairs next to the front door and separate toilet facilities for carers in addition to the main bathroom.
“It’s great to see how our ideas are developed and know the positive difference these will make to local families.”
This new development includes a wheelchair bungalow and an innovative two-storey house designed to meet the needs of a family with someone who has a disability.
Councillor Barry Mcculloch, convener of Housing and Social Work Services said: “The development of our partnership with the coproduction group is improving the day-to-day lives of local residents and it was great to give the group a preview of our Glencairn development.”
There are now 25 new council houses on the former Glencairn tower site.