Council tenants in Salford could be set to benefit from up to £75m investment in their homes, under a new deal announced by the government.

Housing Minister Kris Hopkins has approved Salford City Council to transfer ownership of its social homes to Salix Homes, by writing off the council’s £65.1 million historic housing debt.

Currently, Salford’s 8,500 social homes are owned by Salford City Council and managed by Salix Homes, a not-for-profit company. But under the new deal, Salford City Council would transfer ownership of the homes to Salix, while the government would write off its £65.1m debt.

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Salix Homes has made a commitment to invest £75 million to ensure all 8,500 properties will reach the government’s Decent Homes standard by 2020. This will include 4,000 homes getting new kitchens or bathrooms, 2,000 homes getting new windows and 3,000 homes getting upgraded heating.

Councillor Gena Merrett, Assistant Mayor for Housing and Environment at Salford City Council said: "This announcement is fantastic news for tenants and for Salford as a whole and shows that the government is confident in the council’s proposals to transfer its housing stock to Salix Homes and the extra investment that will bring.

"Salix Homes has an excellent track record in delivering a first-class housing service in Salford. They are in a strong position to make the necessary investment to the homes and provide the kind of housing service that the people of Salford deserve."

Barbara Harper, a tenant and chairwoman of the Customer Senate, said: "Tenants now have a very exciting opportunity to guarantee a bright and sustainable future for social housing in Salford for generations to come. I’d urge all tenants not to waste this opportunity and make sure they use their vote."

(IT)