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ACHA to Revamp Vacant Properties in Helensburgh for Ukrainian Refugees

Argyll Community Housing Association has been successful in a bid for funding worth £418,200 from the Scottish Governments Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund. The money will enable us to bring 24 vacant properties at Drumfork Court, Helensburgh back in to use. Most of these houses have been empty for a considerable period of time.

The move follows the arrival of 24,674 Ukrainians in Scotland under the UK and Scottish Government visa schemes designed to aid those displaced by the war. As of 5 June this year, 3,945 of these Ukrainians are still living in emergency accommodation such as hotels and serviced apartments. Others have been living short term with local community sponsors.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Our £50m initiative to bring void housing back into use for displaced Ukrainian families is supporting projects across Scotland. We’re really pleased to approve funding for these Helensburgh homes and I look forward to seeing refurbishment work get underway.”

In addition to the money from the resettlement scheme, which will be used to make individual flats ready for let, ACHA will also be carrying out some environmental works to the area and installing new front doors to all flats, including those of existing tenants. This will bring the total funding package up to £536,200.

We are currently working with the Ukrainian Resettlement Team at Argyll & Bute Council to identify those that the homes will be allocated to and it is anticipated that all 24 houses will be filled by 31 December 2023. We look forward to welcoming our new tenants and making Drumfork Court a sustainable community once more.

Photo: Drumfork Court, Helensburgh