Salix Homes is set to become one of the UK’s first social housing mutual, if residents back plans for a proposed stock transfer.
Salford City Council has agreed to the housing provider becoming an employee co-owned mutual and plans will now go before tenants.
Joe Willis, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: ‘Becoming a mutual is the next natural step for an organisation like Salix Homes, which has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for our tenants to influence how we do things for many years now.
‘A new mutual Salix Homes would be based on the longstanding principles of co-operation and mutuality providing a bright future for social housing tenants in Salford who, in partnership with Salix Homes’ employees, will be in charge of the future of their homes. However, this bold vision can only become a reality if tenants vote for transfer.’
The proposals are part of plans to transfer the ownership of 8,500 homes from the council to Salix Homes. The housing provider is pledging to invest £700m over the next 30 years if the transfer goes ahead.
A ballot will take place later this year, and if tenants do vote in favour of the plans the mutual organisation will be complete within two years of the transfer taking place.
Salford’s assistant mayor for housing, Cllr Gena Merrett, said: ‘This vision of staff and tenants working closely together to shape the future for Salix Homes is a hugely exciting prospect, but it is the kind of opportunity that can only become reality if residents vote for the transfer.’
