The new partnership includes a comprehensive range of commitments to Bellsmyre tenants and service users, including Bellsmyre limiting and controlling rent increases and significantly increasing investment in the housing stock, with £5 million being spent on modernising and improving homes over the next five years.

Bellsmyre becomes part of the Caledonia Group two years after neighbouring West Dunbartonshire landlord Cordale Housing Association entered into a successful constitutional partnership with Caledonia.

Julie Cosgrove, chief executive at Caledonia Housing Association, said: “I’m delighted to be able to formally welcome Bellsmyre Housing Association to the Caledonia Housing Association Group.

“We have developed a strong working relationship with the Management Committee and staff team at Bellsmyre over the past 18 months. We are looking forward to developing this further by actively supporting Bellsmyre to achieve their aim of being a strong well run community based housing association that provides excellent services and makes a positive difference to the wider community in the Bellsmyre area.”

Diane Williamson, chairperson at Bellsmyre Housing Association, said: “It’s great that the partnership has been formalised. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this position, but I’m excited about the difference the partnership will make.

“Our partnership with Caledonia significantly improves our financial capacity and provides access to the services and support that will ensure we have a positive impact on our community.

“As our tenants and customers face challenging times, and there are significant costs pressures on social landlords, we are delighted to be able to provide tenants with rent assurances whilst increasing investment in our services and homes.”