Help with housing in Trafford

We are promoting a range of measures to help people having difficulties with Housing as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Whether you rent out a property in the borough, are a tenant or are vulnerably housed there a series of options to assist you. These include:

Housing Options Service Trafford (HOST)

For all our safety this service is now being run remotely, rather than in person. If you need any help with housing or homelessness queries please call on 0161 912 2230 (during office hours) and 0800 218 2000 (after 5pm and at weekends). You can also email host@salixhomes.co.uk at any time. If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness there is a referral form to the Housing Options Service Trafford (HOST) where you can let us know about your concerns.

To maintain social distancing for staff and visitors our reception at Sale waterside is now temporarily closed.

Rough sleepers

Emergency funding has been announced to help Councils move rough sleepers into temporary accommodation so that they can self-isolate.

To report a rough sleeper in Trafford please contact HOST on 0161 912 2230 (during office hours) and 0800 218 2000 (after 5pm and at weekends) or email host@salixhomes.co.uk.

Advice for home owners/private landlords

A three month mortgage payment holiday has been announced and will be extended to landlords whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties.

To arrange a mortgage payment holiday please make contact with your bank or building society directly.

Help to Buy

Those who have benefitted from a government backed Help to Buy equity loan will be offered interest payment holidays if they are struggling to pay due to coronavirus, for more information and how to apply please visit the Government’s housing web page.

Advice for private renters

The government has announced an increase to Housing Benefit and Universal Credit to ensure that Local Housing Allowance will cover at least 30% of rents. For more information and how to contact the DWP please visit the GOV.UK website.

Emergency legislation will be taken forward so that landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a three month period during this crisis. Possession claims that have already started will be suspended for three months. At the end of this period, landlords and tenants will be expected to work together to establish an affordable repayment plan taking into account tenants' individual circumstances. Please contact your landlord directly to make the necessary arrangements.

Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:

We understand that this is a very difficult time for many of us – particularly rough sleepers, but also those who are worried about paying rents and mortgages. But the good news is that there are now a range of measures in place to help with housing problems.

Our Housing Options Service is always available to provide help and advice with those in housing need and we would encourage people to get in touch via telephone, email or the website.”