SOCIAL landlord Hyndburn Homes is ahead of schedule in its ambitious plans to refurbish the borough’s former council houses.
When it took over the council’s 3,200 homes in 2006 it pledged to invest £35M over the next five years.
Two years in, managing director Ken Bury said the company was ahead of schedule.
He said: "We have exceeded our own expectations. The improvement work has got off to a great start – so much so that in this financial year we have managed to refurbish 300 more properties than we had planned."
A total of 1,200 houses have now been modernised and Hyndburn Homes has been working to re-let empty properties a lot faster in response to lengthy waiting lists.
The company’s subsidiary, Hyndburn Homes Repairs, has seen a 70 per cent improvement in the time taken to bring an empty house back into use.
Spokesman David Cross said: "Because the current housing crisis has seen demand for social housing significantly increase, it is imperative that our service is also enhanced.
"In real terms we have reduced the average turnaround from 22 calendar days last year to seven this year – an achievement of which we are very proud."
Mr Bury added: "We remain firmly committed to our original pledge. It’s been a great 2008 for both Hyndburn Homes and Hyndburn Homes Repairs and we look forward to replicating that success in the next financial year."
