Ukrainian families enjoy a warm welcome as they begin moving into North Lanarkshire homes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Families from Ukraine have begun moving into repurposed tower blocks in Coatbridge and Wishaw following an intensive reinstatement programme.A total of 128 flats at High Coats in Coatbridge town centre and a further 59 at Birkshaw Tower in Gowkthrapple have been refurbished and made available to families who have fled to Scotland to escape the war in their home country.

Both blocks had been emptied of tenants ahead of planned demolition as part of North Lanarkshire’s housebuilding programme, but were brought back into use to provide the much-needed accommodation.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Now families are preparing to move into High Coats over the coming weeks, and those setting up home at Birkshaw have almost completed their moves – while more properties are set to be refurbished to take the total number of homes to 200.

The housing refurbishment project has been supported by £5 million in funding from the Scottish Government, with the North Lanarkshire pilot proving such a success that it is now being expanded into other local authority areas.