The record investment comes as the based housing association aims to complete a nine year programme to bring its properties to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). Just over £24m will be spent on internal and external improvements to over 1700 homes, meaning that, in total, the association will have brought 5800 properties to the SHQS.

External works to varying degrees will take place in 1200 properties, while the final 530 homes will receive new kitchens and bathrooms. Preliminary works will take place ahead of a £2.6m investment in heating upgrades and system replacements to help alleviate fuel poverty, while £337,000 will be spent on equipment and adaptations to help tenants remain in their own homes.

Further works in the Holmscroft and John Street areas of Greenock will take place later this year with the latter seeing over £500,000 being spent on improving the landscape around the recently modernised homes.

Investment of £1.5m in the maisonettes and cottages in Slaemuir, Port Glasgow, is already underway and Cartsdyke Court in Greenock will get a facelift when new cladding is installed as part of a £1.4m package that includes triple glazing and new heating systems.

Graham McDowall, investment planning & delivery manager at River Clyde Homes, said: “This is our biggest annual investment in properties to bring homes to the SHQS. Energy bills remain a concern for many customers and we are doing what we can to make homes more fuel efficient. Our programme to regenerate the Broomhill area of Greenock is gathering pace and, at a cost of £26m, is currently one of the biggest housing investment programmes in Scotland.”

Bagatelle Court in Greenock will have a new lift installed as part on the ongoing initiative to replace all lifts in sheltered housing complexes to ensure the safety of some of our more vulnerable customers.

Full details of the programmes for this year will be made available on the River Clyde Homes website and customers will be given advance notice in writing of works starting in their homes.

@rivclydehomes