New council house revolution
on the way?
Welcome news from London: the Mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) has cleared his target of 20,000 new council housing stsrts by 2024 a year early – with 10,000 starts last year alone.
Lower-income families who have been increasingly frozen out of the capital’s housing market ar those who will benefit most. The news also shows shows that a return to mass council homebuilding is possible if the policy environment is right.
Councils can grow their stock through acquisition as well as new build, and it was interesting to see one London borough (Lewisham) reveal the positive results of its programme top buy back council homes sold under the Right to Buy.
Obviously this represents an overall loss to the public purse: a home built by public expenditure, sold at a discount and then purchased again at full market value. But it is a quick and sensible way to grow a council’s stock of available housing, providing homes that are already situated.
Community Voice Carlisle is the blog of Carlisle Tenants` and Residents`Federation. Information about the Federation is availableon 01228 522277
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