in 1970 a team from strathclyde university demonstrated that the old tenements had been basically sound, and could be given new life with replumbing providing modern kitchens and bathrooms. the corporation acted on this principle for the first time in 1973 at the "old swan corner", pollokshaws. thereafter, "housing action areas" were set up to renovate so-called slums. later, privately owned tenements benefited from government help in "stone cleaning", revealing a honey-coloured sandstone behind the presumed "grey" tenemental facades. the policy of tenement demolition is now considered to have been short-sighted, wasteful and largely unsuccessful. many of glasgow's worst tenements were refurbished into desirable accommodation in the 1970s and 1980s and the policy of demolition is considered to have destroyed fine examples of a "universally admired architectural" style. the glasgow housing association took ownership of the public housing stock from the city council on 7 march 2003, and has begun a £96 million clearance and demolition programme to clear and demolish many of the high-rise flats.