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Sadiq Khan to expand Right to Buy-back fund to house Afghan refugees
The mayor of London has set out plans to extend his Right to Buy-back fund to secure properties for families resettling in the capital after fleeing Afghanistan.
Sadiq Khan said he would be adding money to the fund that will be made available to councils to buy back private homes they may have lost as a result of the Right to Buy scheme, and encouraged authorities to start bidding right away.
Mr Khan also said housing associations should apply for funding for new homes that can be delivered at pace.
London, as well as a number of local authorities, have agreed to house those fleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban retook the country two weeks ago. The UK has agreed to take 20,000 refugees as part of a five-year settlement plan, with 5,000 expected to arrive this year.
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The policy to give part of the funds from the £4.8bn Affordable Homes Programme to councils to regain Right to Buy homes was announced last month. Under the scheme rules, authorities must bid for the money in the same way they would for a new development project. These homes can only be used for social rent, as well as housing homeless families.
In recent years, smaller private landlords have been selling properties off because of the diminishing tax breaks on offer to them, with bigger operators snapping them up.
As part of the expanded fund, Mr Khan will encourage councils and council-owned housing companies to focus on family-sized homes purchased for those departing Afghanistan. All homes must also meet the Decent Homes Standard, according to the rules of the funding.
Mr Khan said: “It has been devastating to watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan and I’m determined to do everything in my power to support those escaping the country.
“London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need, and by working together we can help these refugees find a welcoming home in our city.
“That’s why I’m inviting borough councils to use my Right to Buy-back fund to acquire homes for refugees, as well as Londoners in housing need, and am urging housing associations to bid for funding to secure homes for these families.”
The G15 group of London’s largest housing associations said its members stood ready to help those coming into the country and provide sanctuary for those in need. It said it was in close contact with the Greater London Authority and local authorities.
“Many G15 members provide homes to other refugees, helping people to rebuild their lives after fleeing conflict and persecution. It’s a collective effort across all housing providers and we’re determined to play our part.”
Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, director of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association, said: “With the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan, many Afghan refugees will be desperately looking for a safe place to call home.
“I am proud that the mayor of London and London councils are leading the way in welcoming Afghan refugees and taking active steps to help accommodate them when they arrive and seek to build new lives in the city.”
