SALIX HOMES ‘REPURPOSES’ EMPTY BUILDINGS TO HELP TACKLE HOUSING CRISIS

By next year, Salix Homes will have created around 50 new homes by transforming empty and abandoned buildings into desperately needed housing.

Last year, the Salford-based social housing provider opened The Hive in Kersal at the site of the former Petrie Court homeless hostel, which had stood empty since it closed down in 2014.

Salix Homes spent £1million transforming the building into modern and affordable apartments for up to 14 young people aged between 18–25.

The housing association is also converting the former Alexander Gardens sheltered housing complex in Broughton into 26 modern one and two-bedroom apartments. The building has lain empty since it was hit by the Boxing Day floods in 2015.Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said:

Salix Homes is also converting empty shops on Eccles New Road in Weaste and Chapel Road in Bury into apartments and has recently purchased a former women’s refuge in Little Hulton to convert into flats.

Mr Sugden added:

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“If we can recycle our plastic and other household items, then we can certainly recycle our buildings. Salix Homes is committed to rethinking how we do things in order to meet the demands of the modern world and repurposing empty buildings could hold the key to solving the housing crisis.”