WORK has started on a £5.8million project to build 58 homes for rent.
They are being built in Cumbernauld, which has a shortage of social housing and the properties in Kildrum will help to ease the problem.
The development, in Ainslie Road and Maclehose Road, is being built by Sanctuary Scotland, a housing association with more than 2500 homes across nine council areas, and will be managed and maintained by Sanctuary Cumbernauld.
Graham Construction is carrying out the work in a deal that will see the company offer a minimum of eight entrant trainee or apprenticeship opportunities, 20 work experience roles and give more than £30,000 to help local community projects.
Sanctuary will receive £2.1m from the Scottish Government towards the total cost of the project. The 58 homes are due to be completed next April.
The housing mix comprises 44 two-storey family homes, seven wheelchair-accessible bungalows and seven three and four-storey flats.
This is the second phase of Sanctuary's regeneration of Kildrum.
The 108 flats previously at the site were demolished after they were found to be structurally defective, with residents re-housed in the 51 properties created in phase one.
Phase two has been developed in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and the homes will be allocated from the council's Common Housing Register.
Councillor Sam Love, convener of the council's housing and social work committee, said: "I am very pleased to see work under way.
"There is a continuing demand for social housing, so this development will provide much needed, high quality housing for the area and also see the completion of this major regeneration project in Kildrum.
"With the council also constructing homes in the area as part of its £150m building programme, and the excellent work Sanctuary and other housing providers are doing in North Lanarkshire, we are creating new housing stock for tenants now and in the future."
Scottish Housing Minister Keith Brown said: "Everyone in Scotland should be in safe, warm and affordable homes that not only meet their needs, but support the development of sustainable communities.
"Continued investment in new housing will help boost our economy, through the direct impact it has on construction and jobs.
"It is very encouraging to see how apprentices can be involved in creating such high quality homes."
stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk