Rogue landlords and bad management are causing increasing problems as run down and crumbling tenements drag areas back into the 1960s, according to a new report.
Today's (fri) study says the worsening condition of tenement flats and closes risks undoing good work carried out since the 1970s to improve sub-standard properties.
This affects not only residents in the closes concerned, but often whole neighbourhoods as sub-standard housing has an impact on the wider community.
Our Crumbling Tenements says there are at least 17,500 sub standard flats in the west of Scotland. The report claims many need substantial investment to bring them back up to a decent standard, but such work is no longer being done.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to speak today (fri) at a conference on the topic being held by Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF), which compiled the report after surveying its members.
From the 1970s, grants enabled tens of thousands of tenements to be improved by helping owners who wished to upgrade their property and to housing associations which took over and improved flats.
However the report says "since the start of the 21st Century, this work has ground to a halt."
GWSF's report says this is not just a Glasgow issue, with some of the worst examples coming from the Paisley area in Renfrewshire.
The report says problems are caused by private owners who can't or won't spend the money needed to maintain common areas, by a lack of effective management in many tenements, including unfactored closes, and a policy focus on new provision rather than maintaining and improving existing housing.
The study, to be launched at Govanhill Housing Association, says concerted action is needed from owners themselves and from national and local government, in partnership with local housing associations, to tackle the growing number of badly neglected privately owned tenements.
David Bookbinder, GWSF Director, said: "Everyone recognises that these are challenging times financially, but for some tenements, if nothing is done, it really will feel that we've gone back full circle to the 1960s and 70s.
"In some respects there's a temptation to say these are privately owned tenements and it's down to the owners to sort out their own problems. But we know that things can get to a point where housing conditions can blight whole areas."
He said a partnership between the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council is making and will continue to make a big difference to tenements in areas like Govanhill, Dennistoun, Queens Cross and Easterhouse. Meanwhile discussions in Renfrewshire are also being held to address the same issue.
Govanhill Housing Association has recently secured more than £11m in funding to tackle some of the problems of a notorious block of streets in the area caused by a lack of maintenance exacerbated by overcrowding and poor conditions.
The pilot scheme will improve the area in a comprehensive way, enabling properties to be purchased and regenerated, but also delivering a wide range of additional work with the local community in and around the four blocks concerned, which will see GHA take on the factoring and management of some properties.
Anne Lear, GHA director said the scheme could provide a model for areas with similar problems - but also showed the cost of failing to invest in properties in a timely way. "An area can go into decline without a strategic approach We are delighted we are being looked at a s a special area and undertake this work which will make a real difference to people's lives and lead to a more settled community," she said.
Mr Bookbinder added: "Specific funding initiatives are always very welcome. But we believe there's a strong case for tenemental rehab to become a more mainstream part of the Scottish Government's new supply programme, as acquiring and doing up tenements genuinely brings new housing for rent, and can be a crucial element of community regeneration.
"We're keen to engage further with the Scottish Government and local authorities on this issue."
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