VITAL housing services are being brought back under direct council control after more than 15 years.

From April 1, 2021, the council’s social housing provision waiting list, homelessness services and homes advice services will all be run by the council for the first time in 16 years after they were outsourced in 2005.

Since 2015, Salix Homes have been the council’s providers but now the authority has made the decision to bring the service back under its own control ‘as part of its commitment to providing social housing and tackle homelessness’.

Salix Homes staff have been informed and will be moving over with the service when it returns to the council.

Housing Options Services Trafford (HOST) currently provides statutory homelessness support on behalf of the council and provides advice and support for local people with their housing needs, including managing the social housing list for the borough.

The service was accessed by 34,485 people last year alone and is seen by the council as ‘an important asset in the fight against homelessness’.

Cllr James Wright, the council's housing executive member, said: “Social housing and tackling homelessness is a corporate priority for Trafford council.vHOST is a vital service which secures homes for people and prevents people from becoming homeless.

“We have made the decision to bring HOST back in house so we can ensure these functions are delivered in a better coordinated way with other associated council services and functions.

“This transfer will allow the council to improve on an already excellent service. Thank-you to Salix Homes for running this vital function over the past five years and for doing such a tremendous job.”

To contact HOST call 0161 912 2230 or go into the office at Sale Waterside to talk to someone face-to-face.