Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is launching a £50million blitz to bring every one of its communities up to scratch.

Tenants are at the heart of GHA's ambitious plans – and are being asked to help raise environmental standards by grading their communities and agreeing how they can be improved.

With the help of tenants, it is hoped all GHA communities across Glasgow will reach the new 'Gold' standard – and become some of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in the city.

Residents are being invited to join panels – called Local Environmental Action Forums (LEAF) – to score their neighbourhoods Gold, Silver or Bronze and build an action plan to reach the highest standard.

The new forums will be looking at issues including the cleanliness of back courts, closes and foyers and the state of grassy areas around homes.

GHA will listen to their recommendations – and its environmental teams will take the action needed to bring communities up to scratch.

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The aim is not only to make neighbourhoods spick and span – but to make them places people are proud to live in.

The plan is for tenants to help every GHA neighbourhood reach the Gold Standard within three years.

GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: "Our investment work has already improved tenants’ quality of life in our communities, but we want all our neighbourhoods to be safe, clean and well-maintained.

"The new groups will grade neighbourhoods and agree an action plan on how they can be improved.

"Tenants will play a central role in helping us raise standards all over Glasgow – and make sure we maintain them."

A total of 14 Local Environmental Action Forums panels will be set up across the city, with up to 15 tenants in each.

The new groups will be part of GHA’s integrated environmental service, with locally-controlled environmental wardens, arborists, gardeners and mobile night wardens.

They will work in partnership with Glasgow City Council and, for example, GHA’s new GHA Enforcement Officers also monitor the environment to make sure dog-fouling and fly-tipping are not blighting communities.

Jacqueline Norwood, GHA’s Assistant Director Neighbourhood Services, said: "Our new Gold Standard will be a mark of excellence – a consistent standard everyone is entitled to.

"That means landings and foyers kept spick and span, rubbish removed from back courts and grass and hedges are trimmed regularly.

"We want people to be proud of where they live – and proud to have friends and family visit."

The £50m to be spent over the next three years will cover staffing and investment work.

GHA’s Area Committees have made upgrading the environment in communities a priority, with small projects making a big difference.

Any GHA tenant who wants to join the LEAF groups should talk to their Housing Officer or phone 0800 479 7979.

(GK)