To: Government, MP's
More Affordable Social Housing and Reform Right to Buy scheme
The policy, which was first established in the Housing Act 1980, has led to a significant loss in the number of social houses available for those in need, and the large discounts have led to insufficient funds to restock these properties. Instead of subsidising the extension of right to acquire for Housing Association Tenants and forcing Local Authorities to sell valuable housing assets under the Housing Bill, invest money directly in building social housing and affordable homes.
Why is this important?
The number of people living in social housing in this country is in decline. As waiting lists continue to grow, more and more people are being forced into private rented housing instead. This is leaving thousands of families and vulnerable households without a suitable home.
Local councils have spent millions, to tackle housing shortages. Many authorities have been forced to buy back homes/properties they sold at a discount under the Right to Buy scheme for full value. Islington council spent over £6.2m buying back homes it sold to people for less than £1.3m. The original goal to increase home ownership within working class society seemed to work however, the system is broken. The problem is created due to high arrival of sales through the RTB scheme although their underinvestment has failed to create new social housing stock.
Following the actions of Welsh and Scottish government, abolishing the Right to Buy scheme will prevent the further loss of social housing onto the private market and will provide Local Authorities the opportunity to reduce housing waiting lists by re-homing vulnerable families.
A wealthy country like the UK can benefit from building social and affordable homes and move away from focusing on home ownership for the few and profit for private landlords.
