Glasgow MSPs are shocked at an alleged lack of transparancy and openness at Glasgow Housing Association (GHA).
A high powered group have written to the housing regulator after Glasgow Save Our Homes campaigners made the allegation in connection with GHA’s home improvements programme and its handling of lease holder billing.
Johann Lamont MSP, Bob Doris MSP, Bill Kidd MSP, Sandra White MSP, and Bashir Ahmed MSP have raised their concerns over homeowners frustration over the potential for over pricing of work for Over Cladding and Re-roofing and the monitoring of these contracts by GHA Ltd during the period 2005 to 2008.
Now Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie has added his voice to the call while deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has refused to support the campaign.
Many homeowners are critical of the work carried out and remain sceptical about the cost effectiveness of the work as they claim little evidence was gathered to determine what work was actually needed.
Homeowners too remain concerned about the potential for over pricing given that similar work being done to similar properties attracted a wide variation in charges.
Johann Lamont MSP, in a letter to Nicola Sturgeon MSP, said: “I understand that the Housing Regulator has examined the process for securing work; I do believe it is essential for the confidence of homeowners to be restored and that the quality of work done and the pricing regime used are investigated.
“Homeowners are frustrated that bills are not itemised and, as a consequence, confidence cannot be secured.”
Glasgow Homeowners campaigner Sean Clerkin said: “Essentially this amount of backing from MSPs should urge the Scottish Housing Regulator to conduct a financial investigation and address the complaints of homeowners.”
The Scottish Home Regulator has argued against the need for an investigation.
A GHA spokeswoman said: “Last year’s Inspection Report by Communities Scotland on GHA confirmed that we had “followed good practice” in the European-wide tendering process we conducted in 2005 to identify a range of contractors who were capable of delivering our multi-million pound improvement programme at the best possible costs for our customers.
“We agreed an extensive Improvement Plan to address all the recommendations made in the Inspection Report and are currently in the process of introducing a number of initiatives to improve our services to and communications with owners.
“We are also developing our capacity and capability to improve substantially the management of investment and other programmes to optimise benefits from partnering and to ensure contract procurement and management are consistent, clear and open.
“Better on-site management is improving quality of work, flexibility and courtesy for tenants and homeowners who are being consulted in assessing needs, determining priorities and deciding how and when works are conducted and managed.”
Tags: Communities Scotland, GHA, Homeowners, Media, Right-to-buy
