Caledonia opens new homes in Brechin for tenants.

Caledonia Housing Association has extended a warm welcome to tenants in their new homes situated in Brechin, Angus. The development at Brechin West was a joint effort involving Angus Council and Scotia Homes to repurpose homes originally intended for the private market into social housing units.

This shift in focus was triggered by the severe flooding in Brechin in 2023, which led to numerous community members being displaced and highlighted a pressing need for additional social housing. The £1.2 million development, supported by £700,000 in funding from the Scottish Government, comprises six homes, including two 4-bedroom and four 3-bedroom two-storey houses.

These homes have been equipped with energy-efficient features like solar panels and air source heat pumps, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and cutting down energy costs for the tenants. Julie Cosgrove, the chief executive of Caledonia Housing Association, expressed her delight in welcoming the tenants to their new sustainable homes, emphasising the innovative collaboration between Caledonia, Angus Council, and Scotia Homes that led to this development.

Graham Reid, joint managing director at Scotia Homes, shared his satisfaction in contributing to this project, which aimed to create a sustainable community with thoughtful design, diverse streetscapes, high-quality landscaping, and community-focused amenities. The repurposing of these units to provide homes for those affected by the flooding underscored the commitment to community well-being.

Naomi Shelton, one of the new tenants, expressed her gratitude for the new home, stating, “We are so mesmerised with the house and cannot express how grateful we are. Thank you so much, Caledonia Housing Association.” Councillor Kenny Braes from Angus Council also commended the collaborative effort to deliver much-needed social family housing in Brechin following the devastating flood.

Looking ahead, in October 2023, homes in Middleton Park, Brechin, were destroyed due to flooding, resulting in all tenants being re-housed. Refurbishment work is currently underway and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024 to welcome back the tenants to their homes.