East Renfrewshire Council has signed a strategic agreement with Barrhead Housing to help deliver housing priorities over the coming years.
The agreement sets out how both organisations will work together to increase and improve housing supply and services, support regeneration, help vulnerable people, and work towards carbon reduction targets.
It also covers staff development and aims to encourage innovation and positive change.
After declaring a local housing emergency last year, the council has worked with Barrhead Housing to tackle rising homelessness.
The new agreement is seen as a key step to address ongoing challenges in the area’s housing services.
It also supports the delivery of the council’s ‘A Place to Grow’ plan, aiming for well-designed, sustainable, and affordable housing.
Convener for Environment and Housing Councillor Danny Devlin, 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.”
John Hamilton, chair at Barrhead Housing, said: “This agreement signifies our joint commitment to tackling some of the most important issues of our day: homelessness and the acute shortage of affordable homes.
“Over the next five years, we will address these issues head on. The communities we serve deserve no less.
“In drafting the agreement, we have consulted and listened to those communities – and to what they believe they need and expect.”
Hamilton added: “We will continue to do so as we work to turn the objectives included in this important document into new homes and stronger, more resilient communities.”
East Renfrewshire Council Leader, Councillor Owen O’Donnell, said: “I would like to commend our housing service team and those from Barrhead Housing for the vital work they put in to this agreement.
“I am extremely reassured that while challenges remain, we have a fantastic group of employees, directors, councillors and local community representatives who are committed to the people of East Renfrewshire, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to flourish, thrive and grow.”
Lorna Wilson, CEO at Barrhead Housing, said: “This agreement will make a real difference in addressing the housing emergency in East Renfrewshire.
“It will add over 200 new, affordable homes to the 1000 we currently own and manage.
“This will include building over 150 new homes for social rent and 26 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.”
The council said the new homes from Barrhead Housing will help meet the local housing strategy target of at least 45 additional affordable homes per year over five years.
By working together and finding suitable properties across all tenures, the aim is to deliver up to 65 additional affordable homes per year.
