A housing association has announced a “bold” plan for more than 300 new affordable homes.

Barrhead Housing is aiming to provide 336 new homes of which 281 will be for social rent by 2030. 

It also aims to invest £7.5 million in improving housing stock, as part of its objectives for delivery by the end of the decade.

Chief Executive of Barrhead Housing, Lorna Wilson said: “The number of people looking for an affordable home from BH has doubled.

“This increase has taken place in short order since 2021 and we recognise that social housing providers like us have to step up and muster all the resources we can to help deal with the situation.”

The plans have been outlined in BH's "ambitious" new strategy “Build Homes, grow communities, delight customers.”

The housing association currently owns more than 1,000 properties throughout the local authority, mainly in Barrhead, Neilston, Newton Mearns and Thornliebank.

Fulfilment of the new strategy, however, will see it increase its stock to 1,345 households by the end of the decade.

Most of these will be social rented, but there will also be properties at ‘mid-market’ level for those unable to find affordable private rented properties but don’t meet priority thresholds to be allocated social housing, including people looking for their first home and key workers.

According to BH, the additional housing will be achieved by a mix of new build and acquiring existing properties.

The association has also reorganised its repairs service with a focus on using local, skilled providers.

It said that the £7.5million being set aside to improve tenants’ homes – an average of £7,600 per house – will improve their quality and condition and introduce technology to help keep households safe and warm.

Indeed other goals for 2030 outlined in the strategy include “less than 10% of tenants in fuel poverty” and making “100% of homes digitally connected”.

The strategy also references programmes of local activities within communities aimed at improving wellbeing and quality of life, as well as job and training opportunities.

John Hamilton, BH's chairperson, said: “The plan is the product of conversations and input from hundreds of local people.

“We will deliver it through partnerships with East Renfrewshire Council, the police, the health service, voluntary groups, and local people.”

Councillor Danny Devlin, Convenor of Housing and Environment added: "East Renfrewshire Council welcomes BH's support to meet local housing need and will work in close collaboration to make this strategy a reality."