Provanhall Housing Association completes nine refurbished homes

The homes form part of a 12-flat development across two blocks on Balcurvie Road, which were improved by the council in the 1990s for low-cost home ownership.

Over time, however, all but one of the properties had moved into the private rented sector. The project also involved the acquisition of an empty home identified by the council acquired through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), helping to increase the supply of much-needed affordable housing in the area.

Before the works were carried out, the blocks had fallen into severe disrepair, with major dilapidation in the common closes including exposed electrical wiring and fire damage to a communal fuse box. Externally, there were missing gutters, downpipes and rhones, while there was no door-entry system or other security measures in place.

There were also no bin areas, and rear gardens had become overgrown. Through this joint investment, a total of £848,508 was used to purchase the properties, improve the common closes, tackle key external repairs, and fully refurbish the flats internally with new heating, windows, bathrooms and kitchens. Most of the homes were then let through the council’s Health and Social Care Partnership team to families who had been assessed as homeless.

All nine homes are now fully occupied, with the project delivering visible improvements to the surrounding area as well as supporting a stronger sense of community. The work has also enabled a factoring service to be extended to three other owners in one block. 

Linda Cameron, chairperson of PHA, said: “This project has helped bring new life to a part of the estate that had looked neglected for some time. I am very proud of the team, who worked tirelessly over the past three years to make this happen, with invaluable support from Glasgow City Council and Scottish Government funding.”

Ms Dobbi, who recently moved in with her family, added: “I am really delighted with my new home as we were struggling to find a new place suitable for my family. The place is really nice and quiet, and we have a garden with my daughter already making new pals in the street.”

Councillor Kelly commented: “Bringing vacant or dilapidated stock back into use is often quicker and cheaper than new build housing and has the added benefit of removing the blight they cause to neighbours. Our RSL partners like Provanhall HA are invaluable and I’m just happy that we can support them in the work they do locally by funding projects like this using the Scottish Government’s acquisition money.’’