Right to Buy faces suspension in Cardiff

The City of Cardiff Council is considering suspending Right to Buy for five years in an effort to protect the city’s social housing stock.

A public consultation, carried out towards the end of 2016, showed considerable support for the proposal with 57.2 per cent of respondents agreeing to suspend the programme, with 30.4 per cent disagreeing.

The council’s cabinet will now be considered, and if accepted will see Right to Buy suspended for five years.

Cardiffs social housing stock has decreased from 23,000 homes in 1985 to 13,807 due mostly to Right to Buy sales. Most council and housing association tenants currently have the right to buy their home after five years and receive a discount of £8,000 on the value.

However, the council has reported that with 8,300 applicants on the housing waiting list, it is keen to prevent losing any more social housing.

Cllr Susan Elsmore, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Wellbeing, said: “We had a very good response to the recent consultation on suspending the Right to Buy with nearly 2,800 responses from a wide range of individuals. It was good to see the high level of support for the proposal. With a growing need for affordable housing in the city and many people in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, it is essential that we retain our existing stock to ensure that affordable homes are available for those who need them.”