Salix Homes has appointed principal contractors to deliver a major investment programme to improve homes and communities across Salford.
Greater Manchester-based firms Emanuel Whittaker and Connolly have both been reappointed following an extensive procurement process, and the successful delivery of previous investment works for Salix Homes.
Each contractor has been awarded works worth £2.8m per year for 2026-2029 to lead the investment programme, which will see around 3,000 homes across Salford improved through a range of modernisation works.
As part of the programme, hundreds of homes will get new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors and upgraded electrical works. There’s also heating upgrades planned for 1,200 properties, intended to help create warmer, more energy-efficient homes that are cheaper to run and fit for the future.
Glenn Martin, the housing association’s director of investment, development and sustainability, said: “Investing in our existing homes and communities remains a key priority for Salix Homes, alongside our ongoing focus on building much-needed new homes to help tackle the housing crisis.
“We’re pleased to be once again working with Emanuel Whittaker and Connolly to continue improving the quality, safety and energy efficiency of homes across Salford, building on these strong and well-established partnerships with contractors who understand our values and ambitions.
“Over recent years, we’ve significantly increased investment in both existing and new homes, and we are strengthening our capacity to deliver high-quality housing and regeneration projects that make a lasting difference to our customers and communities.”
Since becoming a stand-alone housing association in 2015, following a stock transfer from Salford City Council, Salix Homes has invested more than £235m in improving existing homes and delivering new social and affordable housing. This includes 560 new homes built, with a further 169 due to complete this year.
Clive Newton, managing director of Emanuel Whittaker, based in Oldham, said: “We are once again delighted to have secured our place on the major investment programme. For 15 years we have worked continuously in partnership with Salix Homes, delivering a wide range of services to their existing homes, from day-to-day repairs through to highly complex building safety work.
“We have forged an outstanding relationship with the Salix Homes team, and with many of their customers, and our knowledge of their housing stock and neighbourhoods has been a key ingredient to that success.
“We will continue to invest a significant amount of time, and financial resources into wider social value projects over the course of this arrangement. Salford has been very good to us over the years, and this gives us a great opportunity to give something back.”
Liam Norbury, managing director of delivery at Connolly, based in Wigan, added: “We are really proud to be continuing our partnership with Salix Homes, delivering safer, warmer and decent homes for their customers across Salford.
“We put customer communication at the heart of our approach, together with a ‘can-do’ mindset when it comes to problem solving. We’re pleased this has been recognised in our reappointment.”
This latest programme of investment works forms part of Salix Homes’ long-term ambitions to continue improving homes and neighbourhoods across Salford, alongside a growing development programme delivering new social, affordable and sustainable housing, with an ambition to build around 100 new homes each year.
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