Tenants snap up new affordable homes
Published by Glasgow Housing Association on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:16
Tenants have snapped up flats at a new development of affordable homes in Glasgow's Lambhill.
The two-bedroom flats at Strachur Wharf are among the first homes in Scotland to be completed and occupied under the Scottish Government's Innovation and Investment Fund.
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) was awarded £360,000 from the fund to buy the 24 flats from a private house builder. The much-needed homes were made available at mid-market rent - around £420 per month - through GHA's subsidiary, Lowther Homes.
The flats had been built originally for sale by O'Brien Homes, as part of their larger Lambhill development.
The first tenants to move into Strachur Wharf, which is Lowther Homes' first mid-market development in Glasgow, were Colette Nash, her partner Ian and six-year-old daughter Taylor, who previously lived in Balornock.
"The flat is great," said Colette. "We love it. We moved to the area to be closer to family. My mum and dad both stay close by, and my gran has got one of the flats in the close next door."
She added: "As a young couple starting out, it's great to have a brand new flat and one that saves us a lot of money because it comes with white goods, such as a fridge, cooker and washing machine."
Lowther Homes Board member, John Grant, believes developments, like Strachur Wharf, have a big part to play in meeting the city's housing challenges.
Mr Grant, who is also a tenant Board member of GHA, said: "We want to give people in Glasgow, who are struggling to get on the property ladder, a range of housing options. This development aims to help people who don't have priority on a social-housing waiting list and can't afford a full market rent. Strachur Wharf fills the gap in between."
