Salford Deal to Trigger 75m Home Upgrade
Salford City Council’s 8,500 council houses are to be transferred to a private company which has pledged to uplift them by the tune of £75 million in a renovation scheme earmarked to finish in 2020.
The developer in question is Salix Homes, and the deal will only go ahead if residents vote in favour of the privatisation of this public asset, with a poll set for later on this year. A consultation process will take place beforehand whereby information will be available to interested parties.
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins has already backed the proposal as the deal would see the council’s £65.1 million historic housing debt written off.
Currently, Salford (near Manchester, UK) social housing is owned by the council and managed by Salix Homes, a not-for-profit company, who will take full ownership in exchange for the government clearing the debt.
It has made a commitment to invest £75 million in a bid to bring all 8,500 homes up to the government’s Decent Homes standard by 2020.
This includes 4,000 homes getting new kitchens or bathrooms, 2,000 homes getting new windows and 3,000 homes getting upgraded heating.
Councillor Gena Merrett, Salford’s assistant mayor for housing and environment, said that the announcement is good news for the area as it will bring vital investment and work.
