The Glasgow-based housing association has invested more than £5 million on retrofitting 263 homes, installing external wall cladding and upgraded wall insulation, increasing energy performance from EPC band C to EPC band B which will help residents to make significant savings on their energy bills.

The improvements on the four-storey tenement properties, constructed in the 1950s, form part of Calvay Housing Association’s continual programme of investment in its housing stock. Upgrades have been carried out by Hamilton-based Procast Group with project management, contract administration, quantity surveying & principal designer roles being provided by Brown and Wallace.

The association secured £2.3 million grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund to deliver the upgrades, with the project balance met via private funding from CAF Bank.

Calvay Housing Association unveiled the newly retrofitted homes and marked its milestone anniversary with a community fun day on Saturday 26 July. Attended by more than 700 people, including current and former tenants with their friends and family members, as well as former staff and contractors, the community fun day was hosted in The Calvay Centre and featured family-friendly activities including face painting, balloon artists, circus workshops and lunch provided by the Calvay Community Café.

Opening speeches were given by Steven Blomer, chair of Calvay Housing Association, Duncan McLean, Calvay Housing Association’s first permanent director who led the association from 1985 – 2000, and John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston. Maureen Burke, MP for Glasgow North East, was also in attendance.

Nick Dangerfield, director at Calvay Housing Association, said: “We’re proud to see the completion of our retrofit project at Barlanark, which will help to improve the quality of social housing here in Glasgow. The work we have carried out along with our contractors will reduce energy bills for our tenants, helping to cut carbon emissions and improve the thermal efficiency of each home. This project has also transformed the way the area looks, and forms part of our ongoing investment in housing which includes fitting of new kitchens, bathrooms and windows.

“Celebrating 40 years as a long-standing partner of the local community is a major milestone for Calvay Housing Association, and unveiling our completed retrofit project marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. To address Scotland’s ongoing housing crisis, it is not only essential to build new homes, but it’s just as important to future proof existing housing to make sure that it remains fit for purpose. We look forward to rising to this challenge as we enter our fifth decade of operations.”

Maureen Burke, MP for Glasgow North East, said: “It was a real privilege to join Calvay Housing Association to mark this milestone anniversary and see first-hand the incredible impact of their retrofit project.

“These improvements will make a huge difference to residents - cutting energy bills, reducing emissions, and creating warmer, more comfortable homes. Calvay has been at the heart of this community for 40 years, and this project is a brilliant example of how investing in existing housing can deliver real benefits for local people. I look forward to continuing to support their vital work in Barlanark.”

John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Calvay’s 40th anniversary and the completion of their housing refurbishment programme. Housing is the thing that most constituents come to see and my staff about. I have worked in the housing sector myself and strongly believe that decent affordable housing is the key to making sure that everyone in society has a good place to stay, can afford heating and other costs, and can support children in education.

“There is clearly a housing shortage in Glasgow and we need to build more homes. But it is also essential that we keep improving the flats and houses we currently have. I myself live in Barlanark and I know that both rented and bought homes need to be properly maintained. Housing associations are absolutely key players in most Glasgow communities and that is certainly the case in Barlanark and Calvay with Calvay Housing Association. I very much welcome the work they have done over the last 40 years, the work they are currently doing, and the work I know they will be doing in the future.”

Derek Innes, owner and managing director at Procast Group, said: “Calvay Housing Association have been great to work with over our long-standing relationship, working together to improve housing for tenants.

“We’d like to congratulate them on their 40-year anniversary and know they will continue their good work far into the future.”