Contractors for Salix Homes have started nearly £2 million-worth of housing improvements to over 250 homes in Salford.
The housing association promised a two-year, £22 million total investment to upgrade 2,200 properties after winning a housing stock transfer from Salford City Council.
Contractor Emanuel Whittaker, which last week opened a new Salford training depot in Weaste, has started improvement work on almost 100 homes on the Meadowgate Estate in Seedley while builder A Connolly has begun work on 150 homes on the Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown.
New kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors and heating systems will be installed in the improvement works.
The first phase of works which started in April is now nearing completion and has seen 400 properties on the South Ordsall Estate and the Tootal Road Estate in Weaste undergo much needed improvements.
Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “The first phase of our significant investment programme to social housing in Salford has been a resounding success with almost 400 homes transformed and modernised, so we are now delighted to be starting work on the next phase of our project which will ensure a further 250 families and individuals in Salford have the new and improved homes that they deserve.
“We are confident that our ambitious regeneration plans for our homes and communities will help deliver a housing service that Salford can be proud of for generations to come. “
In March this year the properties formally transferred from Salford Council to Salix Homes after tenants voted in favour of transfer – a move that will unlock a £75million investment over the next five years.
The improvement work to homes on the Gerald Road and Meadowgate estates is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Simon Harrison, managing director at A Connolly, said: “Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown will be another excellent refurbishment scheme for us to deliver on behalf of Salix Homes and further extends our track-record for improving the homes of residents in Salford. Community will be a big focus for us and we’re also keen to support the local pound and will continue using local companies and employing local people where possible.”
John Gallagher, contracts director at Emanuel Whittaker, added: “Tenants on the Tootal Estate are thrilled with their refurbished, modern homes and are giving us 100 per cent satisfaction scores and we are looking forward to starting on Meadowgate and replicating that success.”
