Just over £17 million will be spent in the coming year to upgrade homes and make them more energy efficient, around £10.6m of which will be spent on major works to improve the housing stock.

In a first for the Association, solar panels will be installed in 150 existing properties as part of a £3m drive to improve energy efficiency for customers. A total of 310 additional homes will be converted from inefficient electric storage heating to gas central heating and a £400k programme to improve insulation of lofts and wall cavities will take place. The previously announced major works to replace an ageing heating system at the apartments in Kilblain Court, Greenock will begin soon.

Over £1m will be spent on planned maintenance works as a new roof replacement programme begins, 45 properties will receive new kitchens, bathrooms and electrics, and £250k will be spent on replacing windows and doors.

In response to customer feedback, £3.2m will be invested in improving the built environment in neighbourhoods and £450k to improve and paint communal areas in flatted accommodation.

To help customers stay in their own homes, a budget of £300k has been set aside for aids and adaptations to properties.

Albert Henderson, chair of the River Clyde Homes Board, welcomed the news: “Our fundamental aim is to help improve lives and places and these plans go some way to doing that, particularly in the area of energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty. Throughout last year we consulted with customers over what mattered to them and I’m pleased to see additional investment in neighbourhood environments and communal areas within blocks.”

He added: “This £17m investment in existing properties, coupled with 89 new build coming on to the market and the demolition of unpopular properties in Banff Road, Cumberland Road and Slaemuir shows that River Clyde Homes is committed to the continued regeneration of Inverclyde.”

Full details of the investment plans will be communicated to customers in advance of the programmes commencing.