What will ACHA deliver?

The Scottish Executive requires all social housing to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015. To achieve this, ACHA has pledged:

• Over £283million over the 30 years of the Business Plan
• More than £13million in investment per year for the first five years of the transfer
• Over £9million per year for the first five years of the transfer on major repairs
• More than £413,000 per year for the first five years of the transfer on catch-up repairs
• Almost £48,000 per house over 30 years (at 2004 prices)

Priorities
Following consultation with tenants, and after extensive research, the early priorities for investment have been earmarked as kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, rewiring and, where required, door and window replacement and new roofs.

New build
From year 2 onwards ACHA will be investing heavily in new build projects; our plans are to build 150 new homes per year across Argyll and Bute. Early initiatives will include the demolition of Spence Court in Dunoon, Park Square, Parliament Place and Broad Street in Campbeltown, and 4 houses at Croft Avenue in Oban.

Services
As well as investment in existing homes and building new homes, ACHA also proposes to introduce a number of new services. These will include:

• Welfare Rights Officers
• Handyman service
• Youth Workers and Community Facilities
• Community Development Staff
• A Review of Services for Older People
• New Ways to Pay Rent
• A Mobile Housing Office
• A New Repairs Service
• Credit Union (Community Bank)
• Garden Grass Cutting Service (for those who can’t do this themselves)
• Services for Owner Occupiers

ACHA believes that transfer offers a real opportunity to deliver community improvements beyond the bricks and mortar of housing. As well as the boost that much-needed investment will give to local economies, ACHA will also be exploring options to develop training and employment initiatives, working in partnership with contractors.