New tenants in Dundee council properties.

Dozens of tenants are now settling into their new homes at a housing development purchased by Dundee City Council from a private developer. The residents of Kirkton Road and Downfield Place have been gradually moving in over recent weeks following the completion of their homes earlier this year. The council acquired more than 20 new homes constructed by H&H Properties on the grounds of the former St Columba’s Primary School in a deal concluded late last year.

One of the residents who recently received the keys to her new home is Vicky Reid, a 44-year-old mother of three. Vicky expressed her excitement, stating, “I am loving it! The house is just fab.” She and her family encountered housing instability over the past year after being asked to leave their rented accommodation, leaving them uncertain about their future. Vicky shared, “We spoke to the homeless prevention team at the council who were really good and helped us fill in all the relevant forms and guided us through the whole way. We kept driving past these houses when they were getting built and looking at them and thinking how great it would be to have one of these, but we were all prepared to have to go into temporary accommodation, when we got offered this. It was bit like magic and we couldn’t believe it.”

Despite the challenges they faced, Vicky and her family are now happily settling into their new environment. Mark Flynn, the convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee, highlighted the high demand for quality rented accommodation in the city and emphasized the council’s commitment to addressing this need.

Lynne Short, the committee’s deputy convener, shared, “When you see Vicky and her family in this house, and experience for yourself the hugely positive effect that having a secure tenancy in a warm, easy to heat house has on people’s lives, it brings home how we are meeting the needs of our communities and delivering better outcomes for everyone.”

The housing development in Kirkton comprises 21 new homes, including two-storey, three-bedroom detached and semi-detached properties. These homes are being allocated to tenants in phases, offering more families the opportunity to enjoy secure and affordable housing in Dundee.