The Tonbridge and Malling Green Party firmly opposes the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme, which has been contributing to the housing crisis across England. Introduced by the Conservative government in the 1980s, the RTB scheme has enabled millions of council-built properties to be sold at significantly reduced prices to tenants, with the intention of promoting homeownership. However, nearly half of these homes—originally built for those unable to afford market rent—have ended up in the hands of private landlords rather than remaining available for those most in need. This shift has significantly impacted local councils’ ability to provide affordable housing for their communities. As the Green Party states, “homes once built by your council to house families who could not afford market rents find their way into the hands of private landlords.” This unfortunate consequence has exacerbated the housing shortage, pushing up waiting lists and leaving many people in unsuitable or temporary accommodation.
Currently, social housing accounts for only 16% of homes in England, a drastic drop from the 1960s when one-third of the population resided in council properties. RTB has effectively stripped councils of housing stock without allowing adequate replacements to be built. In areas like the north-west of England, councils have sold thousands of homes but only replaced a fraction of them. This discrepancy between the properties sold and the funds allocated for new builds has left 1.3 million people on waiting lists for social housing in England. This issue is compounded by restrictive policies which prevent councils from reinvesting all RTB sale proceeds into building new homes, meaning that only around one-third of the homes lost under RTB have been replaced in the last decade.
Local authorities and housing associations face significant barriers in trying to replenish social housing stock. Councils are often forced to return a large portion of their proceeds to the government, limiting their capacity to reinvest in new social housing developments. This policy has not only impacted the availability of affordable housing but has also restricted councils’ ability to meet the urgent needs of their communities. In response to these challenges, Labour’s Angela Rayner recently proposed imposing restrictions to prevent the resale of new-build council homes under RTB, ensuring they remain available to those in need.
At the Tonbridge and Malling Green Party, we believe that councils need a more sustainable approach to providing social housing. Instead of RTB, we advocate for the creation of an arms-length housing company by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. By utilizing existing council-owned land, this housing company could build homes that meet local needs without the limitations imposed by RTB. This approach would help address the region’s affordable housing shortage and keep these homes accessible to those who need them most.
Green Party councillors across the country are pushing for sustainable housing solutions. Recently, Cllr Paul Stepto, along with Labour Cllr Mel Dawkins, brought forward a motion to Kent County Council, urging the Kent Pension Fund to consider investing in social and affordable housing. By creating financial incentives for sustainable housing projects, the council could tap into new funding sources to support the growth of social housing, potentially setting a model for other councils to follow.
The housing crisis in England requires urgent and effective solutions. The Green Party supports policies that empower councils to meet local housing needs without being constrained by RTB’s limitations. We are committed to working alongside local councils to ensure housing remains affordable and accessible. By ending the RTB scheme and allowing councils to retain control over social housing assets, we can help address the housing crisis and ensure that homes built for those in need stay within reach of those who need them most.