Housing association provides £2.8m boost for Kilbarchan

Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire is to receive a £2.8 million housing boost in the shape of 18 new homes from Williamsburgh Housing Association.The much-needed affordable homes for rent are being built in the popular village at Milliken Road.And the construction work was officially launched by the Scottish Government’s minister for local government, housing and planning Kevin Stewart MSP.The new development fulfils Williamsburgh Housing Association’s promise to keep on building and to help Renfrewshire Council increase affordable homes in the villages of Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch.The construction of the properties is being carried out by McTaggart Construction and will take around a year. It is the first time Williamsburgh – which has homes in Paisley, Johnstone and Renfrew – has built in Kilbarchan.The properties will be “cottage flats” and the £2.8m cost is supported by a grant from the Scottish Government of £1.3m with the remainder met by Williamsburgh.Speaking at the site launch, Kevin Stewart praised Williamsburgh – currently celebrating its 40th birthday – and said the Association was doing its bit to help meet the Scottish Government’s target of building 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.He said that target represents a £3.3 billion investment by the Scottish Government and “was reliant” on partners like Williamsburgh delivering new homes.