We previously reported that the Communities
and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee had launched an
investigation into the future of housing associations, looking
in particular at the impact of the extension of Right to Buy (RTB)
to housing association tenants and the rent cuts announced in the
Budget.
While the primary focus of the inquiry is on housing
associations, the Committee is seeking evidence on proposals for
replacing homes sold under the RTB "including the proposal for
funding replacement homes through the sale of council homes in high
value areas". It is also seeking evidence on "lessons learned
through earlier experience of Right to Buy".
ARCH has now submitted written evidence to the CLG Select
Committee arguing that the proposal to fund the extension of RTB to
housing association tenants should not be funded by forcing
councils to sell council housing in high value areas.
Councils have never received government funding towards the cost
of providing RTB discounts for council tenants and the cost of RTB
discounts for council tenants has been borne by the remaining
tenants who cannot afford to (or do not want to) exercise the RTB.
It is doubly unfair that the remaining stock retained councils and
their tenants should now be asked to help fund the payment of RTB
discounts to housing association tenants and the construction of
replacement housing association homes.
Read the full ARCH submission.