RESIDENTS in two city centre blocks of flats can look forward to the start of a multi-million pound homes makeover in the coming months.
Tenants in the Croft Street flats on High Street and the low-rise homes next door are set to benefit from a multi-million pound upgrade that will see their homes refurbished inside and out.
Swansea Council is putting the finishing touches to the scheme that will see new kitchens, bathrooms and fire prevention equipment in every home as well as state-of-the art security and attractive weather-proofing for the buildings outside.
Work is expected to start later this year and when it’s finished residents will see their homes looking similar to upgrades already completed in Matthew Street nearby.
The home improvements will be funded entirely from rents paid by council tenants and Welsh Government grants. None of it comes from the council tax.
Andrea Lewis, Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for service transformation, said: “Over the last decade or so we’ve committed more than £500m to upgrading our tenants’ homes and building new ones to help tackle the housing crisis.
“Over the next five years we’ll be spending another £250m improving people’s homes and building more -energy efficient homes to increase the supply of council housing.
“It is all part of Swansea Council’s continuing commitment to tenants to improve their homes, reduce energy costs and help them through the cost of living crisis.”
She said: “Work is due to start on Croft Street as part of £55m of housing investment this year and the project is expected to take around 18 months. Upgrading and re-fitting people’s homes so that they’re fit for the 21st century and the years ahead is a complex job.”
When Croft Street is done, planning and construction teams will start work at Griffith John Street to complete the refurbishment of all the flats in the Dyfatty community.
There are two high-rise blocks of flats and two low-rise blocks in Croft Street of more than 100 homes. The upgrade project includes plans to spruce up the local environment and refurbish a small number of retail units facing High Street. A row of garages on Croft Street will be retained as well.
All homes and communal areas will have fire-prevention sprinkler systems fitted alongside other safety measures. There will also be improvements to thermal insulation to help reduce tenants’ energy use and energy bills.
Entry doors will be controlled by tenants and staff using fob key systems and there will also be video call access control as a further security measure to support tenants.
Cllr Lewis said: “Our tenants in Matthew Street have welcomed the changes completed to their homes.
“While it is inevitable there will be some disruption for tenants for a project of this size and complexity, our contractors will be doing all they can to keep it to the minimum possible and residents will be kept informed of progress at every stage.
But we’re confident that when complete, residents will be proud of what’s been achieved.”
