Salix Homes homeless services receive top award

Salford’s services for helping homeless people are among the best in the country.

The Housing Options Service, managed by Salix Homes on behalf of Salford City Council, has been awarded the ‘Silver Standard’ by the Government-backed National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS), for its hard work in tackling homelessness.

Only seven areas in the country have achieved this standard – with just two services achieving gold.

The NPSS’s Gold Standard Programme, funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government, supports the improvement of housing options services across the country to deliver a comprehensive and cost effective approach to preventing homelessness.

Salford’s Housing Options Team provides free advice and support on a range of issues from homelessness and rough sleeping to domestic abuse and disabled adaptations.

Mike Wright, head of housing choice at Salix Homes, said: “This is a fantastic endorsement for our Housing Options Team.

“Being recognised as one of the best in the country in tackling homelessness, highlights the hard work of our officers, our commitment to helping those in need and preventing residents from sleeping rough.

“Salford’s housing support services have had to adapt in recent years as they are more in demand than ever due to budget cuts and changes to the welfare system.

“It’s important that we as an organisation, along with our partners, offer the most efficient, cost effective, supportive services possible, despite the challenges.

“For those who may have fallen on hard times and need support to get their lives back on track, I would urge them to get in touch with us.

“We will now continue on our improvement journey and strive towards working to ‘Gold Standard’.”

Earlier this year, the Housing Options Team joined the Supported Tenancies Team, in moving to a new home – the Salford Housing Options Point (SHOP) – based at Wesley Street, Swinton (opposite Swinton Gateway), Salford, M27 6AD.

Last year, the hard work of the Supported Tenancies Team featured on BBC One’s Housing Enforcers where millions saw them help people get back on their feet.

The new SHOP facility provides a dedicated and fit-for-purpose centre to access all supported housing needs under one roof.

SHOP is open Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30am – 4:30pm and on Wednesdays from 1pm – 4:30pm. If you need immediate housing support outside of these hours call the Emergency Duty Social Work Team on 0161 794 8888.