OVER thirty empty homes in Inverclyde are to be brought back into use for Ukrainian refugee families in a £400k investment.

MP Ronnie Cowan today praised two local housing associations and the Scottish Government as the district gets set to welcome more people fleeing the war.

Under the plans River Clyde Homes will improve 14 homes which are currently 'void' while Oak Tree Housing Association will revamp 17.

Mr Cowan says the RCH and Oak Tree commitment is further evidence of the 'excellent' response from Inverclyde communities to welcome Ukrainians.

The Scottish Government has spent almost £23 million on the scheme so far, with a total of 1,168 homes being prepared to welcome Ukrainian refugees.

River Clyde has received £255,000, while Oak Tree has received £151,000 from the Scottish Government.

Mr Cowan said: "Both the local housing associations involved are to be praised for their actions.

"The people of Scotland and the people of Inverclyde have never wavered in our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

"I am proud of that, and I know my constituents are proud of that too.

"It is a further plank in the excellent response from Inverclyde to the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

"Inverclyde welcomed families at the outset of the war, and it is great to see this continue.

"And of course, it is very much consistent with Inverclyde's tradition of welcoming people who come to settle here going back through generations.

"It is a very good policy from the Scottish Government to provide the money for these homes to be brought back into use.

"On the one hand we are welcoming families in desperate need, and on the other, returning housing stock to its full potential, which clearly has a huge benefit for local communities.

"Key to this is that these properties are brought back up to a high standard, because these are classed as long term homes, and we wish to show Ukrainian families the very best of Inverclyde, through our environment, culture, housing, schools and jobs.

"I know that the people of Inverclyde will give families and individuals a warm welcome.

"This fund remains open for applications so there is scope for more Ukrainian refugees to come to Inverclyde in the near future."

Across Scotland almost 1,000 Ukrainian people are already living in 450 refurbished homes.

A further 225 have been completed and are in the process of being tenanted.

Across Scotland more than 1,000 long-term vacant homes are being brought back into use as part of the Scottish government's £50 million Ukraine Longer-Term Resettlement Fund.

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Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "Our programme provides a vital lifeline for those fleeing the war by providing long-term and secure accommodation through reclaimed empty homes.

"I am proud that Scotland has been able to play its part and pleased to see us reach and surpass the crucial milestone of 1,000 homes for displaced Ukrainians.

“We have been able to house hundreds of families and individuals in safe accommodation so far and we will continue to work closely with councils and housing associations as we build on this excellent progress.”