Newly built social homes could be protected from sale through exemptions to the Right to Buy scheme, and tenants will have to wait longer before they can buy their homes, under reforms proposed by the Government.
A consultation on the proposals is also seeking views on targets for councils to replace stock sold with homes for social rent of the same size and in the same area; and on increasing, from five to 10 years, the period in which councils have the right to ask for repayment of all or part of the discount received when a property is sold.
Fewer than 48,000 social homes have been built or acquired using Right to Buy receipts since 2012, while more than 124,000 council homes have been sold in the same period.
Cllr Adam Hug, LGA Housing Spokesperson, said: “The LGA has long called for reform to Right to Buy as, currently, it does not work for local authorities and those most in need of social housing.
“Councils are keen to collaborate with the Government to increase affordable housing and help people on waiting lists and stuck in temporary accommodation.”
The consultation on reforming Right to Buy closes on 15 January.