A look back: Salix Homes’ innovative approach to tackling the housing crisis catches the attention of the BBC

Salix Living has created almost 200 homes in Salford by bringing empty houses and deserted commercial buildings back into use.

From long-term empty homes, a derelict women’s shelter and even an old pub, the private sector leasing arm of housing association Salix Homes has transformed neglected buildings into much needed affordable housing.

Salix Living’s innovative approach caught the attention of BBC One presenter and journalist Matt Allwright. In February 2019, Jonathan Drake, service director for Salix Living appeared on The Empty Housing Scandal. He met with Matt and took him to visit a row of derelict shops that had been converted into modern two-bedroom apartments for people in housing need.

Brian Jervis (78), who now lives in one of the new flats, welcomed Matt, Jonathan and a camera crew into his newly-refurbished home.

“It was strange seeing myself on the telly, as I’m not one for being in the spotlight. Quite a few people in the pub had seen me too. They’ve not asked me to do Bond yet, but who knows?

“It’s marvellous really, what they’ve managed to do with the place. When I go down to the pub, I get a lot of banter from the people in there when I say my flat used to be a shop. I get asked ‘have you found any tins of salmon?’ and ‘at least you won’t have far to go with your shopping.

“The flat is smashing though. I’ve been here about 18 months now. I’m a carer for my son, and he needed a bigger bedroom. I found out about the property, as I got chatting to the workmen. I decided to put an application in, and I still feel really lucky to have been accepted. It’s everything we need.”

The Empty Housing Scandal also featured converted pub, the Star Inn and former women’s shelter Joan Lestor House, before work had yet to begin on the properties.

Jonathan Drake, service director at Salix Living, said: “The shops had been empty for around 20 years and were a magnet for anti-social behaviour. By bringing them back to life, we’ve not only provided local people with a safe and affordable place to live, but also removed the blight of the empty buildings from the neighbourhood.

“We want to create long-term homes and security for our tenants that live in these converted buildings, so I’m glad to hear Brian and his son have settled so well into their new home.”

In February 2020, Jonathan and Salix Living returned to the small-screen in BBC One series Britain’s Housing Scandal with Matt Allwright.

Jonathan added: “We’re very proud of the work we are doing to create more affordable and social housing in Salford and it’s great that the BBC has chosen to visit us for a second time. It all helps to highlight the good work that housing associations can do to tackle the housing crisis.”

In this series, viewers were taken to see the newly renovated Joan Lestor House in Walkden and Alexander Gardens, a former sheltered-housing scheme that was converted into accommodation for medical and clinical staff at Salford Royal Hospital.

The scheme has been so successful in Salford, that Salix Living is now working with Trafford Council to roll out the initiative over the border.

The first project to be completed saw a long-term empty property in Urmston be converted into four flats for vulnerable women who are victims of domestic violence and homelessness.

Click here to read the original storySalix Homes to feature in new TV documentary on housing crisis