West of Scotland Housing Association welcomes first tenants back to Overtown Street, Barrowfield, after £4 million investment and upgrade begins.

WSHA have welcomed the first tenants back to renovated properties on Overtown Street and Law Street in Barrowfield, Glasgow, as part of a £4 million upgrade and renovation of tenants’ homes. Tenants have been consulted on every aspect of the extensive renovation process.

Renovation of the first of eight blocks began in May 2023, with WSHA working in partnership with Overtown Street residents to ensure that tenants were intrinsically involved in all aspects of the plan for upgrade and renovation. 

A major element of the renovation of the properties will be new, more efficient central heating systems, which will result in an improvement to the building’s energy performance and help to address issues of fuel poverty for residents. Replacement windows and the addition of Juliette balconies will also contribute to improved living spaces for residents. Properties will benefit from new kitchens and bathrooms including over-bath showers, while internal walls will be re-plastered and new skirtings and facings fitted. There will be improvements to fire safety and sound insulation within blocks, alongside new close doors and door entry systems. All common areas will receive a repaint including external walls. 

Tenants will move back into their renovated flats in a phased return over the coming months. Some tenants were offered permanent rehousing locally in more suitable accommodation that met their needs. A further eight flats in the renovated blocks have been set aside for Ukrainian refugees as part of the Scottish Government’s Ukrainian Longer Term Resettlement Fund. It is projected that renovations on all the properties will be completed by the end of 2024.

Kirsty Fleming, one of the first tenants to return to her home, said: 

‘It’s so much better, it doesn’t feel like the same place. It’s good to be home. I think the dog’s happy to be back as well!’

West of Scotland Housing Association CEO, Brian Gannon, said of the refurbishment: 

‘We are delighted to welcome back the first tenants to this high-quality comprehensive refurbishment of these properties. Our engagement with the tenants has been invaluable throughout and from this we have undertaken redesign work to the façade that has allowed Juliette balconies to be installed which will greatly improve the main living space within their homes. We are confident that the existing and new tenants we will welcome will enjoy their homes for many years to come.’