Social housing in England will lose a further 57,000 homes by the end of the decade because of the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme, according to new analysis by local government leaders.
The analysis estimated that 100,000 homes are likely to be sold through the scheme by 2030, but only 43,000 will be replaced as significant discounts councils have to give buyers leave them without the funding to replace the much-needed homes on a like-for-like basis.
A report commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), the Association of Retained Council Housing and the National Federation of Arm's-Length Management Organisations warned that, with the discounts expected to increase by a further 10.1% from April, it will become even harder for councils to deliver replacements.
The LGA urged the Government to use the Budget to allow councils to agree discounts locally and retain 100% of sales receipts.
LGA housing spokesperson David Renard said: ‘It is becoming impossible for councils to replace homes as quickly as they’re being sold as they are being left with nowhere near enough money to provide replacements.
‘Rising RTB discounts mean that one household’s home ownership is increasingly being prioritised over another’s access to secure, safe, social housing.’
