Member Article

Salix Living scoop award for efforts to tackle housing crisis

An ethical lettings agency has scooped a prestigious award in recognition of its efforts to help tackle the housing crisis.

Salix Living, the private sector leasing arm of Salford housing association Salix Homes, took the top prize in the Excellence in Improving Private Rented Sector Standards in the Northern Housing Awards.

Salix Living was recognised for its efforts to work with private landlords to bring empty buildings back into use and provide much-needed affordable homes for people in housing need, as well as its commitment to driving up standards in the private rented sector.

Jonathan Drake, service director for Salix Living, said: “Salix Living exists to provide an alternative in the private rented sector, driving up standards and providing a roof over the head of those that need it most.

“We are proud of our ethos as a trusted and ethical agency and we play a key role in bringing empty residential and non-residential buildings back into use as affordable housing.

“Everyone deserves a place to call home and Salix Living is proof that the private-rented sector can play a fundamental role in tackling the housing crisis, so to be recognised for our work in this area by the Northern Housing Awards is a real honour.”

To date, Salix Living has worked with the council and private landlords to bring 167 empty homes back onto the private rental market, many of which are now home to people at risk of homelessness.

Projects have included transforming the old Star Inn pub in Eccles into six apartments and converting empty shop units in Salford and Rainsough Brow into affordable homes.

Salix Living’s efforts to transform empty buildings into homes was recently featured on the BBC’s Empty Housing Scandal, presented by Matt Allwright.

Salix Living is now working with other organisations across the region to launch a new Greater Manchester-wide ethical lettings agency later this year.

The Northern Housing Awards were held in Manchester on May 23 and celebrate the work of the housing sector to improve social and affordable housing in the north.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Collins .