New GHA homes are helping bring families closer together

GHA tenants join Councillor Kenny McLean, GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt, staff from GHA and Wheatley Group, elected members, as well as staff from the city council and others, at the opening of 47 new GHA homes in Pollokshaws
GHA tenants join Councillor Kenny McLean, GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt, staff from GHA and Wheatley Group, elected members, as well as staff from the city council and others, at the opening of 47 new GHA homes in Pollokshaws

New GHA homes in the south of Glasgow are providing modern spacious places to live – and bringing families closer together at the same time.

Tenants who have just moved into the 47 new energy-efficient flats in Pollokshaws Road say they are already saving on their fuel bills – and being able to sit round the kitchen table brings them closer together.

The Pollokshaws area has been earmarked as a priority for regeneration by Transforming Communities: Glasgow (TC:G) a strategic partnership between the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and GHA.

Councillor Kenny McLean, Glasgow City Council housing convener, joined tenants and staff from GHA and its parent organisation Wheatley Group as well as local elected members and representatives from the Scottish Government, the city council, and the contractor, McTaggart to mark the completion of the new homes.

Tenant Mpanga Katongo, moved into Pollokshaws Road with his wife and three children earlier this year.

Mpanga, a security officer, said: “We’re very happy here. Our new home is nice and warm. I hardly have to put the heating on and I’m already saving money on my bills.

“It’s very convenient too, very close to my kids’ school, and the neighbours are nice too.

“The whole house is much bigger. We are able to fit a dining table in the kitchen and we eat together.

“It’s brought the whole family closer together.”

Mpanga Katongo with GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt and Councillor Kenny McLean in his new home in Pollokshaws Road
Mpanga Katongo with GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt and Councillor Kenny McLean in his new home in Pollokshaws Road

The development in Pollokshaws Road is made up of 47 flats, ranging from one to four bedrooms, with five specially adapted for wheelchair users.

Councillor McLean said: “It is great to see the impact that these new homes in Pollokshaws are making on people’s lives.

“The importance of good housing in the quality of people’s lives cannot be overstated, and we are pleased to work with our partners to deliver such projects all across Glasgow.”

GHA chair Bernadette Hewitt added: “It’s always great to hear how these really nice GHA homes make a difference to tenants.

“I really like how homes are not just modern and beautiful – but they really do make people’s lives better.”

The £4.6 million development in Pollokshaws Road – which included a Scottish Government grant of £2.15m – was built by contractors McTaggart Construction.

Gary Climson, managing director of McTaggart Construction, said: “Our relationship with GHA was a real partnership and we’re delighted that the feedback is so positive.”

Transforming Communities: Glasgow was established in 2012 to oversee the delivery of eight priority regeneration areas across the city.

The eight areas are North Toryglen, East Govan/Ibrox, Pollokshaws, Red Road, Sighthill, Barmulloch, Laurieston and Maryhill.

The new GHA homes are the latest stage in the wider regeneration of the Pollokshaws area.

Loretto Housing – GHA’s partners in Wheatley – will begin work on 42 new homes in Shawbridge Street before the end of the year.

Work will also start next summer on another 137 new homes for private sale by Urban Union south of the White Cart river.

As well as the new homes in Pollokshaws Road, GHA recently opened 85 new homes – along with 20 mid-market rent homes let and managed by GHA’s partners Lowther Homes – on the site of the former Govan Tram Depot in Brand Street.

Work is well underway on 152 GHA flats at Hinshelwood Drive in Ibrox and on 130 new GHA homes at Dougrie Drive, Castlemilk.

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