£270m project to make council houses warmer

Council homes will be made warmer, greener and more functional as housing chiefs agree a £270 million investment plan.

It will see a raft of improvements to people’s homes including work to make properties more energy efficient, helping to reduce fuel bills and lower carbon emissions.

There’s also outside improvements like roof renewals and internal improvements such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades.

Targeted funds will also improve homes at the council’s high rise properties with foyer improvements and lift refurbishments part of the plans.

The housing capital investment plan for the next five years was approved by councillors on Thursday as they agreed the 2023/24 budget.

New build council homes are also planned, with feasibility studies to be carried out to look at boosting the housing stock in Foxbar and Gallowhill.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s communities and housing policy board, said: “Everyone deserves to be proud to call Renfrewshire their home and I’m pleased we are continuing in our commitment to modernise council housing and ensure homes are warm, welcoming and energy efficient.

“This includes delivery of the most ambitious largescale housing regeneration programme in a generation taking place right across Renfrewshire.

“We are also building new council homes and working with our housing association partners to ensure there is a great choice of affordable homes available for people to live in Renfrewshire.”

The same housing report approved on Thursday also confirmed a 5.5 per cent rent increase, an average weekly increase of £4.53.

This followed consultation with 600 tenants on priority areas of investment with energy efficiency and housing improvements rated very important to them.

A support fund is being established to provide financial help for tenants facing hardship during this cost-of-living crisis and more money is being ringfenced for specialist housing advice and assistance.

“Setting a rent increase was a hugely difficult decision,” Councillor McGurk added.

“We recognise the challenges many people face and also need to ensure we can deliver a budget which continues to invest in the improvements people tell us matter to them.

“M ore than three-quarters of council tenants in Renfrewshire will see this increase absorbed by housing benefit they are entitled to and we’ve established a fund to help people who may be struggling to pay their rent.

“We remain committed to delivering significant investment in modernising our council housing and give our tenants homes to be proud of.”