CASE STUDY 41
This will in fact be the first time in nearly a decade that Caledonia has worked on a renovation project of this type, and the very first in this area.
In part because of this, it was an objective for the HA to achieve not only its usual requirements, including best value maintenance and efficient procurement, but to also gain expertise on refurbishment projects. It also “recognised that lowest cost will not always represent best value.”
CONSTRUCTION
Meeting all the housing association’s requirements, the construction of the project has been led by the established local firm im uilding roup, who aim to complete the properties by February 2023.
Established in 1957, the central Scotland-based contractor was reportedly selected due to their reputation for quality of work, and “traditional values,” while maintaining the highest standards of health and safety, all key aspects noted by the HA during the project. As a company with a base in irkintilloch, im uilding roup was reportedly “proud to support Caledonia in delivering more affordable housing for the town,” with its managing director hailing the works as “an exciting project” for the team to work on. With Sim having experience in both commercial and retail development including building new steel frame buildings, abd etensions to offices and refurbishment works and new affordable and private housing schemes, Caledonia was confident it would be well placed to take the role of principal contractor.
THE HOMES
According to Caledonia, the housing association’s principles are central to its business’ practices, with a priority placed on “people, value and quality.” In order to realise this, the HA cites its three guiding principles, including simple and effective customer service, “person-centred solutions that multiple routes for access of services and communication,” and “empowering staff.”
Aiming to achieve all the above, the development is intended to provide homes and services that make the residents lives better and provide for any in the community, with the homes designed to cater for diverse needs – including families, couples, single people, and a range of ages. Each property in the two storey building has two bedrooms, and there are 15 off-street parking spaces shared between all the apartments. As is the case with all Scottish
Registered Social Landlords, Caledonia have their performance on these metrics
reviewed by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR). The HA no stranger to this process – the SHR currently ranks the housing association as being of “systemic importance, with an “engagement status” rated at medium.
TENANT PARTICIPATION
Alongside the homes themselves, it was important that both the development process and the continued support after completion were considerate of the tenants living in or around the area. Throughout the redevelopment of this project, the housing association intended to ensure that tenants were able to influence the decisionmaking, so that its customers were involved in shaping all the services they receive.
As such, In consultation with members of its tenant steering group, Caledonia has developed a Tenant Participation Strategy – which frames how it engages with tenants on both an individual and a collective basis.
This strategy has been used across the new project, encouraging tenants to communicate with the HA, and in parallel providing them with opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills, “enhancing the community around them and maintaining it.” The overall aim is to “increase tenant satisfaction and value for money,” said Caledonia.
CONTINUED GROWTH
Moving forward, Caledonia intends to further extend its mission and the guiding principles that led to this project, in a “growing operational context,” but putting tenant’s needs and concerns front and centre throughout.
The HA believes the project, its wider developments, and these tenets are enabling the company to ensure resilience in all areas of its business, creating a strong base for its continued growth. Andrew Kilpatrick, director of assets at Caledonia Housing Association, comments: “The demand for social housing continues to increase all over Scotland for a variety of reasons, including homelessness, separations and people who choose to downsize. The Kirkintilloch development is an integral part of our ongoing commitment to build more affordable homes in East Dunbartonshire and across Scotland.” He continues: “We have a really strong working relationship with the government, council and im uilding Group who have all supported us in purchasing and transforming the vacant office block. This is the first time in more than eight years that Caledonia has been involved in a repurposing project of this kind, and the first in the East Dunbartonshire area.”
THIS IS THE FIRST ‘RESTORATION’ DEVELOPMENT OF ITS TYPE FOR THE HOUSING ASSOCIATION IN EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE
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