The funding from the Scottish Government’s Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund will enable WSHA to refurbish 15 empty homes in Glasgow to temporarily rehouse Ukrainians for a period of up to three years. The homes chosen need extensive investment and the funding will ensure that each of the properties are brought back to a lettable standard and, for some, additional improvements will be included such as energy efficiency measures.

Working in partnership with the local authority, the homes will be leased to Glasgow City Council which will in turn use them to provide shelter to Ukrainians displaced by the war and provide them with support.

Brian Gannon, chief executive of WSHA, commented: “We are proud to play a small part in supporting those that are unsettled from Ukraine due to the conflict taking place in their home country. This funding from the Scottish Government gives us the opportunity to work with Glasgow City Council to provide a more stable living environment to those that have already faced so much uncertainty.”

Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said: “We have created the Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund supported by up to £50 million from the Scottish Government, which allows local authorities and registered social landlords to apply for funding to bring void properties back into use.

“The Scottish Government has provided almost £450,000 of grant funding to West of Scotland Housing Association to bring 15 properties back into use as much needed longer-term accommodation for people who have had to flee the war against Ukraine. I am grateful to West of Scotland Housing Association for their bid and look forward to seeing all their work to make these properties a home for displaced people from Ukraine.”

Councillor Kenny McLean, convener for housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “This funding for these 15 properties will provide homes for Ukrainian people displaced by the tragic war in their homeland while they stay in Glasgow. This support, allocated from the Scottish Government’s Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund, will see properties that were empty for some time brought back to a much-needed, productive use.”