Local authorities say Right to Buy vote should be halted

The representative body for London boroughs said it was “hugely disappointing” that government had acted unilaterally in working on the proposal with housing associations. 

A voluntary deal, proposed by the National Housing Federation (NHF) yesterday, would negate the need for legislation – but would still see thousands of high-value council homes forcibly sold to fund it. 

Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing and mayor of Lewisham, said the short deadline did not give councils or housing associations enough time to consider the implications of a “major change of approach for our partnerships”.

“We would expect the government and housing associations to pause, enabling a tripartite discussion to take place before making any decisions about the content of the legislation,” he added.

“I also like to see councils, as major housing providers, get a similar degree of freedom and flexibility implied in this proposal.”

The London Councils call came as one south London borough wrote personally to David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, to express his “outrage”.

Lambeth cabinet member for housing Matt Bennett wrote: “The deal that you are recommending that housing associations sign up to will force Lambeth to sell over 120 council homes a year on the open market.

“Like many councils, we thought the National Housing Federation was an ally in opposing these regressive changes – instead we discover you are an advocate for the loss of affordable housing.”

He accused Mr Orr of putting “political expediency” ahead of principles and urged him to “think again”.

The letter has been sent to every housing association in Lambeth calling on them to reject the deal.

Housing associations have been given until 2 October to either accept or reject the deal.

The NHF said it had received the letter and would be responding.

Despite backing communities secretary Greg Clark’s announcement on Right to Buy extension, the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said it remained “deeply concerned” over the proposal that local authorities fund the policy through the forced sale of high-value voids.

A spokesperson said: “We urge the government to work with councils and housing associations to find alternative funding mechanisms.”

The Local Government Association was less forthright over the deal.

A spokesperson said: “Giving housing associations the potential for greater flexibility around how the extension of Right to Buy is implemented would be helpful in encouraging investment in building new homes that our communities and economies desperately need.”