Salix Homes shortlisted for two national housing awards

A Salford-based housing association is in the running for two national awards in this year’s prestigious UK Housing Awards.

Salix Homes, which manages around 8,000 homes across Salford, has been named as finalists in the Digital Landlord of the Year and Homelessness Project of the Year categories.

The launch of its innovative online services platform MySalix, was a key factor in the organisation being shortlisted for the Digital Landlord of the Year award, whilst the work of its private sector lettings arm, Salix Living, helped secure recognition for the Homelessness Project of the Year category.

Through Salix Living, the housing association works with homelessness services and private landlords across Greater Manchester to provide affordable, quality accommodation for people in desperate housing need. Around 70% of its lets are to the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

The ethical lettings agency aims to offer an alternative in the private rented sector by providing access to affordable, quality, private-rented homes, in many cases bringing empty buildings back in to use.

Jonathan Drake, service director for Salix Living, said “One of the root causes of homelessness is the huge shortfall in supply of homes.

“We’re committed to increasing housing supply by bringing empty residential and non-residential buildings back into use. To date we’ve created 167 affordable homes in this way for people at risk of homelessness, and we’re thrilled to have had our hard work to achieve this acknowledged by this nomination”.

Lee Sugden, chief executive of Salix Homes said “To be shortlisted in two categories that are very close to our heart really helps validate what we are doing.

“The successes of both MySalix and Salix Living have been born out of us thinking a little differently about how we can meet the challenges that are facing us. From finding creative ways to increase the supply of affordable homes, to trialling new technologies to improve how our customers can access our services digitally.

“We are incredibly proud to make the final few at the sector’s most prestigious awards”

The UK Housing Awards are the largest and longest running awards in the housing sector. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 7 May 2020.