Entitled Build homes, grow communities, delight customers, the ambitious strategy sets out Barrhead Housing’s objectives for delivery by 2030.

They include:

• Providing 336 new homes, of which 281 will be for social rent
• £7.5 million investment in improving housing stock
• Putting in place community support that will create an average of £1000 of social value per household
• 100% digital connection for the homes the association manages
• Enhanced services and response times for tenants.

Barrhead Housing was originally established in 1986 and in 2004 became a registered Scottish charity. It is a locally controlled housing association owning over 1000 properties throughout East Renfrewshire, mainly in Barrhead, Neilston, Newton Mearns and Thornliebank.

Working with partners, including East Renfrewshire Council, the association aims to prioritise those people most in need through homelessness resulting from the housing crisis afflicting Scotland.

The new strategy will see Barrhead Housing increase its stock to 1345 households by 2030, most of which will be social rented. There will also be properties at ‘mid-market’ level for people who are unable to find affordable private rented properties but who don’t meet priority thresholds to be allocated social housing, including people looking for their first home and key workers.

The additional housing will be achieved by a mix of new build and acquiring existing properties.

Chief executive of Barrhead Housing, Lorna Wilson, said: “The number of people looking for an affordable home from Barrhead Housing has doubled.

“This increase has taken place in short order since 2021 and we recognise that social housing providers like us have to step up and muster all the resources we can to help deal with the situation.”

The strategy was finalised following extensive consultation with tenants, local communities and other stakeholders. It responds to the desire of Barrhead Housing’s existing tenants for improved repairs and maintenance, as well as enhanced customer services, with plans to set up a 24/7 online service and new local community services.

The association has also reorganised its repairs service with a focus on using local, skilled providers.

£7.5m is being set aside to improve tenants’ homes – an average of £7,600 per house – which will improve their quality and condition and introduce technology to help keep households safe and warm.

The strategy also references programmes of local activities within communities aimed at improving wellbeing and quality of life, as well as job and training opportunities.

John Hamilton, Barrhead Housing’s chairperson, said: “We want our customers’ experiences with us to be the best of their lives.

“A home is the foundation of a good life. One of our most important jobs is to provide new homes to help address the housing crisis. We love to champion our communities and so many people are in real need at the moment through homelessness and struggles with the cost of living.

“The plan is the product of conversations and input from hundreds of local people. We will deliver it through partnerships with East Renfrewshire Council, the police, the health service, voluntary groups, and local people.”

Councillor Danny Devlin, convenor of housing and environment, said: “East Renfrewshire Council welcomes Barrhead Housing Association’s support to meet local housing need and will work in close collaboration to make this strategy a reality.”