A CHARITY has pledged to create more affordable housing following a £7.3million project.

Sanctuary Scotland handed over the keys to 71 properties in Pais-ley's Gallowhill, taking its tally to 500 new homes.

Contractor Graham Construction began work on the two, three, four and five-bedroom properties in May 2012.

The Scottish Govern-ment awarded Sanct-uary a grant of £2.8m for the work.

The housing assoc-iation has also created 190 homes in Linwood, 223 homes in Short-roods, Paisley and 16 in Abercorn Street.

Another 40 homes are being built in Braille Crescent, Renfrew, and there are plans for 86 more in Shortroods.

Stuart and Tracy Patterson were among the first residents to move into their new homes in Gallowhill.

Nurse Tracy, 39, said: "We came from a position where we effectively had nowhere else to go to a brilliant, new home."

Roddy Macdonald, Sanctuary's head of development - Scot-land, said: "Gallowhill is the latest Sanctuary Scotland development to complete in Ren-frewshire but it won't be the last.

"These 71 houses are all being rented by local families who would have previously struggled to acquire a home of such high quality.

"The first residents moved in back in May and the feedback we have received has been very positive.

"We look forward to building many more homes in future years in partnership with Renfrewshire Council."

The project also provided a local jobs and training boost with five new joiner apprentices employed, as well as other trades.

Councillor Tommy Williams, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Housing and Comm-unity Safety Policy Board, said: "Our part-nership with Sanctuary Scotland has helped to bring hundreds of affordable rented homes to Renfrewshire.

"It is excellent news to see this milestone reached and even better news that Sanctuary Scotland is committed to adding to the pool of affordable homes."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk