Former Salford hostel reborn as social housing

A former women’s hostel in Salford has officially opened as new social housing.

Joan Lestor House was built in 1999 and provided a refuge for homeless, vulnerable women until it closed down in 2013 amid funding cuts. Since then it had stood empty for five years becoming a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Local housing association Salix Homes worked alongside partner contractor Emanuel Whittaker to carry out the ambitious £800,000 refurbishment and remodelling scheme, which was partially funded thanks to a £234,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme.

The building now has nine contemporary, one and two-bedroom apartments for social housing rent.

Yesterday (October 23), Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett cut the ribbon alongside Salix Homes chief executive Lee Sugden and the new residents to mark the official launch of the refurbished social housing development

Mayor Dennett said: ‘Joan Lestor House has a longstanding history of catering for those in need within our city and it’s fantastic to see the building now renovated, brought back into use and fit for purpose as social housing.

‘Social housing is hugely undersupplied in the modern British housing market, and is a vital service both in maintaining standards in rented accommodation, whilst providing a roof over people’s heads that they can afford.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, added: ‘With the lack of social housing being a prominent issue across the whole of the UK, we’re very proud to officially open our fantastic new social housing development, which is providing nine, modern new homes for people in housing need, like Latifa and her family.

‘With 6,000 people on the housing register in Salford alone, not only have we provided a roof over the head of those that need it most, but we’ve also given a new lease of life to this once-abandoned building, which had become a real blight in the community.’

In August, Salford City Council launched its own letting agency to help reduce pressure on its local authority waiting lists.

Salford Property Link will match people waiting for social housing with private landlords in order to help them affordable accommodation more quickly.

The new agency will also offer landlords a range of services from simple advertising and tenant matching right through to full property management, repairs and guaranteed rent.

According to its website, the agency offers four levels of service – bronze, silver, gold and platinum depending on whether landlords want them to simply help find a tenant or completely manage the property and guarantee rent.