Cloch Housing Association invest £1 million in refurbishing flats

The new local letting initiative aims to entice people to live in upgraded tenement properties and gives priority to key workers and people with a local connection.

A total of 60 properties, including one, two and a small number of three-bedroom flats, have been revamped in Bank Street, Dempster Street, Hope Street, Lyle Street, Lynedoch Street and Regent Street.

Housing manager Andy Thomson said: "We carried out a tenant satisfaction survey about two and a half years ago and the feedback we received was that the houses were tired.

"There was also a perception of anti-social behaviour, but not as much as in any other area.

Cloch Housing Regent Street property.

"In addition to the local lettings initiative we are trying to attract key workers and people with a local connection to the area."

The new initiative aims to reduce the number of empty homes in the Wellpark area.

A report revealed that as of March last year, Wellpark's 'turnover rate' was 15 per cent as opposed to the association's average of 10 per cent.

The report said: "Tenancy sustainability in the Wellpark area stood at 80.85 per cent at the end of the same period against a Cloch average of 86.03 per cent overall.

"It is hoped this initiative will improve both these figures long term."

Cloch Housing Regent Street property.

Another aim of the initiative is to create a diverse community, one in which people want to live and work in.

Louise Carlin, Cloch's team leader for customer connections, said: "Wellpark is a good place to live - it's near to the park, the town centre, has good transport links and views across the river."

Properties have been rewired with new boilers and radiators, while new kitchens and bathrooms have been installed.

Flats have been completely re-decorated and carpeted.

Cloch Housing Regent Street property.

Mr Thomson said that people in greatest housing need are normally at the top of the list and this initiative gives people in a different category an opportunity.

He said: "Social housing is for everyone."

Others eligible include those approved to adopt but don't have sufficient space, people with a satisfactory tenancy history for at least three years, victims of domestic violence, local ex-forces personnel, workers who need to be in the area for employment, young care leavers and those with learning or physical disabilities.

Anybody wishing to apply must be registered with the Inverclyde Common Housing Register.

To complete an online application visit www.inverclydechr.org.uk