BARRHEAD Housing Association has become the first Scottish landlord to sign up to a charter which aims to demonstrate a commitment to community investment.

The Board Charter for Community Investment has been developed by a working group made up of representatives from across the UK’s community investment sector.

David McCready, chair of Barrhead Housing Association, said: “Our board members were delighted to commit to the pledges within the Centre for Excellence in Community Investment Board Charter and we are pleased to learn that we are the first housing association in Scotland to do so.

“Our association has been involved in wider community regeneration activity for many years and we remain fully committed to strengthening and growing communities through investment.

“Our current regeneration strategy is under review. In doing so, we will seek to ensure that our updated strategy is underpinned by the nine charter pledges we have committed to and we look forward to working with the Centre for Excellence to help maximise the impact of our future work.”

The Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT) is inviting others to sign up to the charter, which consists of pledges demonstrating a commitment of each organisation not only to invest in its community but to do so in a strategic and impactful way.

Andrew van Doorn, chief executive of HACT, told the Barrhead News: “We congratulate Barrhead Housing Association for signing up to the Board Charter for Community Investment.

“As the first housing association in Scotland to sign up, it has demonstrated a commitment to community investment and highlighted its role as one of the leading anchor institutions in East Renfrewshire.

“Since the Centre for Excellence in Community Investment launched the Board Charter in September, we have been inundated with interest from housing providers.

“Many social housing organisations in Scotland are already driving forward the community investment agenda and they recognise that there is now a significant opportunity for us to speak more collectively, effectively and publicly, formalising our long-term commitment and ensuring our social purpose is embedded across our businesses.”