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'Right-to-buy' housing ban sought 'Right-to-buy' housing ban sought
(6 days later)
A temporary ban on tenants buying social housing is needed to help stop the slump in England's affordable housing stock, campaigners say.A temporary ban on tenants buying social housing is needed to help stop the slump in England's affordable housing stock, campaigners say.
The National Housing Federation said twice as many affordable homes had been sold off than had been built in England between 1999 and 2007.The National Housing Federation said twice as many affordable homes had been sold off than had been built in England between 1999 and 2007.
The affordable housing stock had fallen by an "unsustainable" 300,000, it said.The affordable housing stock had fallen by an "unsustainable" 300,000, it said.
The government said it disagreed with the proposal as right-to-buy had helped thousands of families own their homes.The government said it disagreed with the proposal as right-to-buy had helped thousands of families own their homes.
The federation, which represents the interests of 1,300 independent, not-for-profit housing associations, said over 440,000 affordable homes had been sold off at discounted prices under the government scheme between 1999 and 2007.The federation, which represents the interests of 1,300 independent, not-for-profit housing associations, said over 440,000 affordable homes had been sold off at discounted prices under the government scheme between 1999 and 2007.
'Crisis''Crisis'
It said that in the same period, 205,123 new homes were built, contributing to a slump in the size of England's stock of affordable homes.It said that in the same period, 205,123 new homes were built, contributing to a slump in the size of England's stock of affordable homes.
The federation said the overall number of social homes - both council and housing association - fell from 4.3 million in 1999 to 3.9 million last year.The federation said the overall number of social homes - both council and housing association - fell from 4.3 million in 1999 to 3.9 million last year.
It warned that over the same period, the number of households on waiting lists had risen by 61% - from 1.03 million to 1.67 million.It warned that over the same period, the number of households on waiting lists had risen by 61% - from 1.03 million to 1.67 million.
The federation said the number of people on waiting lists was forecast to hit five million within two years.The federation said the number of people on waiting lists was forecast to hit five million within two years.
It said a wave of repossessions, and rising unemployment could further add to what it described as a "crisis".It said a wave of repossessions, and rising unemployment could further add to what it described as a "crisis".
'Increased demand''Increased demand'
Federation chief executive David Orr told the BBC: "I think in this market the single most important thing is that we're building more homes. Federation chief executive David Orr told the BBC One's, The One Show: "I think in this market the single most important thing is that we're building more homes.
"I think that we should suspend the right to buy for now at least, because I think that it gets in the way of ensuring that we are all properly housed.""I think that we should suspend the right to buy for now at least, because I think that it gets in the way of ensuring that we are all properly housed."
He added: "One in 13 of every household in the country is on a waiting list for affordable rented housing, now that's likely to increase to maybe one in 10.He added: "One in 13 of every household in the country is on a waiting list for affordable rented housing, now that's likely to increase to maybe one in 10.
"So if you walk down the street every 10th person you meet is on a waiting list for an affordable rented home."So if you walk down the street every 10th person you meet is on a waiting list for an affordable rented home.
"We have not got enough homes in the economy to be able to meet our housing needs.""We have not got enough homes in the economy to be able to meet our housing needs."
A spokesman for the Communities and Local Government department said: "We disagree with this proposal. Right to buy has helped thousands of families to realise their aspirations to own their homes and helped to create stable mixed-tenure communities.A spokesman for the Communities and Local Government department said: "We disagree with this proposal. Right to buy has helped thousands of families to realise their aspirations to own their homes and helped to create stable mixed-tenure communities.
"We are committed to substantial increases in the supply of social housing to meet the housing needs of families living in overcrowded conditions and on waiting lists.""We are committed to substantial increases in the supply of social housing to meet the housing needs of families living in overcrowded conditions and on waiting lists."
The federation has identified the places where the highest number of council homes were sold off between 2000 and 2007:The federation has identified the places where the highest number of council homes were sold off between 2000 and 2007:
1. Birmingham - 12,8851. Birmingham - 12,885
2. Sheffield - 8,2182. Sheffield - 8,218
3. Leeds - 7,8033. Leeds - 7,803
4. Manchester - 7,2084. Manchester - 7,208
5. Southwark, London - 6,8445. Southwark, London - 6,844
6. Durham - 5,6896. Durham - 5,689
7. Tower Hamlets, London - 5,4757. Tower Hamlets, London - 5,475
8. Rotherham -5,1058. Rotherham -5,105
9. Doncaster - 5,0239. Doncaster - 5,023
10. Nottingham - 4,644.10. Nottingham - 4,644.