East Renfrewshire homeless accommodation delayed amid electricity and water supply issues

New temporary flats for homeless people in East Renfrewshire have been delayed by electricity and water supply issues.

East Renfrewshire Council is providing five more properties at Overlee House in Clarkston to help cut its spending on using hotels and B&Bs as emergency accommodation.

The flats were expected to be finished this summer but are now set to be ready “at the turn of the year”, a council official revealed.

It comes after the cost of the project, now £991,000, rose last year due to inflation in the construction industry and “legislative requirements” like the need for a sprinkler system.

At a cabinet meeting last week, Cllr Katie Pragnell Lees, Labour, said: “I was under the impression that it was due to be complete in the summer, so can we get a progress report on that?”

The official said: “Main construction was complete in the summer but we’ve experienced delays in terms of utilities.

“One around the electricity supply, that’s now been resolved, and it should be connected within the next 10 days. 

“The second issue was around the water supply, and there have been ongoing discussions with Scottish Water.

“They are now resolved, and the works will commence. We hope for completion at the turn of the year.”

Work at Overlee House on Moray Drive is expected to see ten new beds made available across five flats.

Initially, the council reported the scheme would be complete in December last year. 

However, late last year, councillors were told that the date had slipped to June 2026.

Officials had also originally reported that the cost of the project would be £553,000. 

East Renfrewshire Council declared a housing emergency in September 2024 due to high levels of homelessness and a lack of available accommodation.

A previous council report stated work at Overlee House would increase the temporary accommodation available to the council, reducing the “unsuitable” use of hotels and B&Bs.

It added that the project is “an opportunity to spend to save” as the “increase in available temporary accommodation will reduce the amount that the council spends on hotel accommodation”.