Connect Modular and Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA) were delighted to host Scottish Government Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan MSP along with Provost Jim Todd to welcome CHA's first residents to their first volumetric modular, affordable housing development at Shortlees, Kilmarnock.
The properties are manufactured offsite by Connect Modular and the Minister began his day with a tour of their manufacturing facility in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, where he met some of the team responsible for designing and manufacturing the housing modules and to see firsthand the benefits that volumetric-modular construction provides. The tour provided insight into the efficient manufacturing process and rigorous inspection routines delivered by Connect Modular in the production of these new homes to exceptional quality for Cunninghame Housing Association. This process delivers particularly significant improvements in waste reduction, environmental outcomes, and programme certainty.
Connect Modular has returned employment to the former carpet factory, creating and sustaining jobs within the local, East Ayrshire economy. Following the tour of the manufacturing facility, the Minister travelled the short distance to the Shortlees site where he was joined by Provost, Jim Todd, and the first new residents for the official handover of homes from Connect Modular to Cunninghame Housing Association.
Linda Anderson, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Cunninghame Housing Association, said "The Association is committed to delivering high quality homes for rent and it's been exciting to see this fantastic modular housing development take shape. The handover of these first completed houses to the new tenants is an important milestone in the delivery of 101 new homes in an area where demand for housing is much needed. We're excited to continue our successful partnership with Connect Modular through to Summer 2024 when the site will be fully complete."
The collaboration between Connect Modular and Cunninghame Housing Association represents a shared commitment to addressing the pressing need to deliver affordable housing quickly and efficiently. The completion of the first houses is just the beginning of a wider initiative that will ultimately deliver 101 purpose-built modular homes, positively impacting the lives of many individuals and families. Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: "The partnership between Connect Modular and Cunninghame Housing Association, supported by £10.5million of Scottish Government funding, will deliver 101 affordable new homes at Shortlees. This means that more households will live in a home that meets their needs. Partnerships like this will help us to deliver at least 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032. At least 70% of these will be for social rent and 10% will be in remote, rural and island communities."
Connect Modular has a strong pipeline of affordable housing projects, including a second phase of homes with Cunninghame Housing Association and is delighted to bring innovation to support the Scottish Government's target of delivering 110,000 new homes by 2032.
Richard Reid, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Connect Modular, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to see the completion and handover of the first homes in this 101 modular housing development. This project demonstrates our dedication to delivering innovative, sustainable, and affordable housing solutions for our local communities. We're delighted to be working with Cunninghame Housing Association on this development and look forward to the continuous handovers of our homes over the next year."
Source: www.theweehousecompany.co.uk
