Laura Sharman 28 June 2018

Councils only able to replace one in four homes sold under right to buy

Councils have only been able to replace 4,944 of the 11,465 homes sold under right to buy in 2017/18, new government figures have revealed.

The figures - which show only 43% of the homes sold have been replaced - have prompted calls for the Government to suspend the policy to stem the loss of social housing.

Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Terrie Alafat, said: 'We support the principle of helping tenants move into home ownership but it cannot be at the expense of other people in need. We need to look at fairer ways to help tenants into home ownership, because this is clearly not the way to do it.

'We are calling on the government to suspend the right to buy to stem the loss of social rented homes, remove the barriers stopping councils from replacing homes sold under the scheme and look at more effective ways to help people access home ownership.'

Research by the CIH has previously revealed that 150,000 social rented homes were lost between 2012 and 2017. It warns this figure could rise to 230,000 by 2020 unless the Government takes action.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner