​Housing association to buy privately-owned tenements in bid to end poor housing

A Glasgow housing association is to buy and run hundreds of privately-owned flats in a bid to end slum housing.

Glasgow City Council and the Scottish government are supporting a £9.3 million plan by Govanhill Housing Association to purchase 579 flats in four tenement blocks in the Govanhill area of the city.

The aim is to end overcrowding, poor landlord practice, a lack of factoring arrangements and high tenancy turnover in one of Scotland’s most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods.

Bailie Liz Cameron, the council's executive member for economic development, said: "It has been obvious that a longer-term solution to issues with private sector housing in Govanhill has been required for some time.

"The council has already invested substantial sums in maintaining the housing stock in the area, but it is clear that difficulties with the way property is being managed have not gone away.

By securing this funding we can now implement the strategy of bringing tenement blocks into the social housing sector

"By securing this funding we can now implement the strategy of bringing tenement blocks into the social housing sector so they can be managed properly."

Govanhill Housing Association will take on responsibility for factoring the purchased tenement blocks when they secure a majority of ownership.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: "Since 2010, we have been working with Glasgow City Council and Govanhill Housing Association to help tackle the poor condition of some properties in South West Govanhill, resulting in the purchase of empty properties and improvement works to the back courts.

"We are providing £4.3m for a pilot initiative to allow Govanhill Housing Association to acquire property, which will enable it to take on more factoring responsibilities and ensure a more effective maintenance regime.

"We will continue to work with partners to develop a longer term strategy to tackle the problems in the area."