A LANDLORD to thousands of people across South Lakeland says hundreds more new homes are on the horizon.

South Lakes Housing - celebrating its fifth birthday this month - manages more than 3,000 properties, from houses for young families to sheltered bungalows for elderly people.

Cath Purdy, chief executive, told the Gazette she was delighted the housing association had kept the promises it made to tenants five years ago, when South Lakeland District Council transferred its housing stock to the independent, not-for-profit landlord.

Since then £54 million has been invested in gleaming new bathrooms and kitchens, up-to-date boilers and central heating - and South Lakes Housing has major plans to spend £20 million on 250 new homes in the next few years.

Tenant Suzanne Johnston told the Gazette she was delighted with the changes to her home at Broad Ing Crescent, Kendal.

"I'll have been here four years this July, and the work and effort they've put into my house has been above and beyond," said Suzanne, a full-time mum to three-year-old Lian.

"Since I've been here with my little boy we've had brand new doors, new windows, roof, loft insulation, new kitchen and bathroom. It just makes my home feel like mine now."

Suzanne praised the quality of workmanship and the professionalism and attention-to-detail of the tradesmen, such as rounding off the corner of her new breakfast bar to make it safe for little Lian.

"South Lakes Housing are such good landlords," she added. "They go above and beyond and they are true to their word. I cannot praise them highly enough and I couldn't be any happier with the work that's gone on."

Chief executive Cath Purdy told the Gazette: "We are here for people, that's what we do. We are a landlord and we don't always get everything right but we really do push the boundaries to try to help."

Cath said it was 'fantastic' to have invested so much in people's homes. "New kitchens, bathrooms and doors make a massive difference. Whether you're bringing up a young family or you're in later life, your home matters. If we can do our bit in terms of improving the quality of homes we are delighted to have done that."

South Lakes Housing plans to spend another £40 million on bringing many more more homes up to modern-day standards.

Meanwhile, Cath said the priority for the next five years would be ploughing money into new homes, to help ease the "acute shortage in South Lakeland".

"We do want to build more affordable rented homes but we will also be looking to help people to get into home ownership," said Cath.

"For anybody working in housing it's one of the best jobs because you're doing something so needed and valued. I feel very excited and I feel optimistic despite some of the challenges. I think we can make a really significant difference to the wider community because having affordable homes impacts on the economy, schools, so many things, and health as well. It's absolutely a privilege and the community support is fabulous."