A SCHEME to boost housing standards in Govanhill is to receive more than £17 million of funding.

Over the past two years the South West Govanhill Strategy has been acquiring and repairing homes for social rent.

This work can now continue for a further two years thanks to £7.66m of Scottish Government funds, £7.89m of Glasgow City council cash and £1.5m from Govanhill Housing Association.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart called the scheme "hugely successful" in providing high-quality housing in the South Side community.

He said: "I am pleased to be working with Glasgow City Council and Govanhill Housing Association to extend this project for a further two years, and providing the funding to ensure the transformative changes we are seeing will last for generations to come."

Housing in the area has been blighted by slum landlords and substandard conditions.

Govanhill Housing Association has run the acquisition programme, taking over properties for social rent and bringing them under their factoring service.

Annie Macfarlane, association chairwoman and local resident, said: "This investment, which is a partnership between the Association, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, will allow us to sustain and consolidate the major improvements which have taken place over the first four years of the programme.

"As someone who has lived in South West Govanhill for the last 28 years, I have seen first-hand the improvements that this project has made to both the fabric of the buildings and the lives of the families living in them."

Local councillor Soryia Siddique said: "The update regarding further investment in Govanhill is welcomed.

"This will build on the achievements of the historical housing acquisition regeneration programme for the area.

"I look forward to details being presented to elected members.

"The funding should also improve the living standard for local communities.

"I will continue to campaign for additional resources for the betterment of the area which I will watch with interest."