HHP storm damage repairs

A lull in the weather this coming week should mean progress for repairs to hundreds of HHP homes in the Western Isles.

Over 600 social housing homes - nearly a third of the total former housing stock run by Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) - across the Western Isles were hit by the violent storm on the night of 8 January.

Around 150 properties were seriously damaged with holes left in many roofs allowing rain to pour in, wrecking rooms below.

Subsequent gales and hailstorms had made it “unsafe for operatives to work on the majority of roofs,” said the agency.

A HHP spokesperson said: “We are still facing a huge challenge in dealing with the large number of properties affected.

Repair squads were out on Saturday in a drive to have the worst affected houses wind and watertight by the weekend.

The spokesperson added: “We are using all available resources to carry out repair work and this will continue until all the work has been completed.

Workmen are now operating on an area basis and are working through each scheme carrying out repair jobs.

The HHP spokesperson said: “We have written to all tenants who have reported damage to update them on the situation.

“We are grateful to tenants for their understanding and patience as we work to deal with the huge amount of damage caused by one of the worst storms islanders have experienced for many years.”

Over 600 HHP homes require storm damage repairs

18 January 2015