EAST Renfrewshire Council (ERC) has agreed to invest £32 million into social housing across the region.

Councillors have approved the Housing Capital Programme for the next five years.

Key projects outlined in the programme include: £14.4 million on new-build council housing; a £4 million central heating upgrade in social rent accommodation by 2021; £1.4 million to rewire 400 properties and £8 million on external structural projects.

The local authority will spend £3.2 million on new internal elements such as kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors.

ERC will also invest £1.4 million to upgrade its sheltered housing.

The announcement follows the news that the council, supported by the Scottish government, will spend £900,000 on off-the-shelf accommodation by the end of next month to increase the area’s social housing stock.

Councillor Danny Devlin, convener of housing, said: “We are committed to providing the best quality homes possible for our residents so I’m delighted that we have made such a significant commitment to improving and increasing our housing stock.

“This will make a genuine difference to residents’ lives and I look forward to seeing the plan become a reality. It’s an exciting time as we enter the most extensive house building and investment programme in East Renfrewshire in a generation.”

There are three main social housing providers in East Renfrewshire: ERC, Barrhead Housing Association and Arklet Housing Association.

Together, the three providers form the East Renfrewshire Housing Register.

To apply for social housing, applicants need only complete one application form.

They also have the choice of being considered for housing by any of the three landlords and can get advice on housing options from each one.

For more information, go to www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-or-housing-association-ERHR.