Southwark Council says the the government’s vision for social housing does not go far enough

The Social Housing Green Paper details how the government will work with local councils and housing associations to provide a new deal for social housing, and outlines five core themes – including expanding and supporting home ownership.

But the paper does not properly address issues exacerbated by right to buy – a scheme that helps eligible council and housing association tenants buy their home with a discount of up to £103,900 in London – or commit to long-term funding for local authorities.

As part of its response to the paper, Southwark Council will ask the government to commit to “long-term funding for local authorities (including increased grant) and new land assembly powers for council homes to make an expanded council homes programmes more viable, which will lead to huge savings to the benefits bill and temporary accommodation costs.”

The council will also ask for a “radical rethink of right to buy” – which has led to more council homes moving into the private sector, many of which have not been replaced.

“Right to Buy has led to a dramatic reduction in social rented homes, a problem which is exacerbated by the restrictions around how replacement homes can be built,” the documents explain.

“We have responded separately to the consultation on Right to Buy and would urge the government to fully remove restrictions on the use of Right to Buy receipts to enable councils to replace social rented homes sold on a like-for-like basis.

“We also urge the government to consider pausing the initiative in areas with high social housing need such as London and allowing affordable rent limits on homes sold through right to buy,” the documents continue.

Southwark Council will also ask for increased funding for transport infrastructure to support homebuilding such as the proposed Bakerloo line extension through Southwark and into Lewisham, which will support building 20,000 new homes.

The consultation on the green paper launched in August with the government seeking input from social housing tenants.

Southwark Council is the largest council landlord in London.