Published: Saturday, 17th May, 2008 18:00
People power house boom praised
By Christine Gray
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PRAISE: Duncan McNeil.
RIVER Clyde Homes has been praised in the Scottish Parliament for the quick start it has made to improving housing in communities across Inverclyde.
Inverclyde’s stock transfer was ‘delivering benefits’ to tenants, Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil said during a parliamentary debate on ‘Scotland’s housing needs’ on Thursday.
Mr McNeil highlighted River Clyde Homes’ plans for 850 new homes for rent and an £83million investment programme for the existing housing stock.
River Clyde Homes has secured land for 315 new homes at sites in Greenock, Port Glasgow and Oronsay. Work is also under way on the first phase of the investment programme.
Mr McNeil pictured below, praised the ‘real engagement and enthusiasm’ shown by tenants when they overwhelmingly voted in favour of the transfer proposals.
He told Parliament: “The transfer was power to the people in a real sense.
“We should be congratulating them on their wise decision because we now know that, if they had not made that choice, their lives would not be changing as they are changing now.
“After five months, delivery is well under way. Community ownership has allowed a real focus on Inverclyde’s housing needs.
“Where rents were among the highest in the country, affordable rents are now being tackled. Rents are capped by the retail prices index for five years, with the aim of holding them to that for 14 years.
“Improvements to services, tenant support and neighbourhood relationships, measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, welfare rights and a more responsive repair service are all in place and working.”
He added: “Investment of £83m is in place for internal and external programmes in one of Scotland’s smallest local authorities, and 850 new homes will be built by 2015. Importantly, that will link in with the wider regeneration activity and ambition for the area. It will give people homes, houses and, crucially, areas that they want to live in.”
Roy Steel, chairperson of River Clyde Homes, was delighted with the MSP’s comments. He said: “Inverclyde is in resurgence and we want to give all tenants in Inverclyde a fresh start and a bright future.
“We have made significant progress on a number of fronts over the last five months but we know we still face a number of challenges.
“There is a lot of hard work still ahead, but we are determined to get it right for our tenants and their families.”
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