Salix Living in line for top award for its efforts to tackle homelessness

Ethical lettings agency Salix Living is in the running for a prestigious award in recognition of its efforts tackle the homelessness crisis in Greater Manchester.

Salix Living, which is Salix Homes’private sector leasing arm, has been named as a finalist in the Best Homelessness Scheme category of the 24 Housing Awards.

Salix Living works with homelessness services and landlords across Greater Manchester to provide affordable, quality accommodation for people in desperate housing need.

Jonathan Drake, service director at Salix Living, said: “Everyone deserves a place to call home, but with 80,000 people on housing waiting lists across Greater Manchester, the housing crisis and homelessness is growing, but Salix Living is here to provide an alternative in the private rented sector, providing a roof over the head of those that need it most.

“We work closely with homelessness services who refer people at risk of homelessness directly to us and 70% of our lets are to the homeless or those at risk of homelessness, saving councils thousands of pounds by diverting people away from homelessness services and crucially, providing secure accommodation for those most in need.

“We’re really proud of the difference Salix Living is making to support people at risk of homelessnes in our communities to get their lives back on track, so to be recognised for our work in this area by the 24 Housing Awards is a real honour.”

Salix Living also plays a key role in bringing empty buildings back into use as housing as part ofSalix Homes’ ‘rethinking housing’ initiative toencourage the wider sector to think differently about how it can tackle the challenges we face.

Working with private landlords and the council to access grants for refurbishment, Salix Living have created167 affordable homes in this way, 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 much-needed affordable homes were recently featured on the BBC’s Empty Housing Scandal, presented by Matt Allwright.

Salix Living is also no stranger to awards and early this year scooped a Northern Housing Award in recognition of its commitment to tackling the housing crisis.

The winners will be announced in October.