Government plans council house sell-off despite 7546 families waiting for a home in Haringey

In just five years 149 council homes in Haringey could be sold-off under government plans to pay for the Right-to-Buy scheme for housing associations.

The Housing and Planning Bill - debated in the House of Commons on Monday - includes plans to force councils to sell low rent homes in high value areas, as the Conservative Government rolls out the Right-to-Buy scheme.

The Liberal Democrats have criticised the move as ‘irresponsible’ and said it will ramp up demand for housing and increase rents.

The Conservative Government’s plans come despite figures from Homes for Haringey, the council’s housing arm, which shows last month there were 7546 families on the housing waiting list in Haringey alone.

Cllr Gail Engert, Haringey Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition, comments:

“The Conservative Government’s plans are irresponsible and will reduce the number of low rent, social homes in the places they are most needed.

“Once the homes are sold-off to the private market, they are lost as affordable homes forever. It means more families on low to middle incomes will struggle to get a decent home.

“The Liberal Democrats are committed to defending social housing. As a party we are making the case that the government should not be forcing the hand of local councils to sell-off much needed housing. Reducing the number of council homes will only worsen the housing crisis in Haringey and across London.”

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