Local Areas to Decide On Replacement RtB Homes

Local areas will be free to decide the type of affordable housing to replace housing association properties sold under the extended Right to Buy scheme, the government has confirmed. The CLG refused to deny that shared ownership or ‘Starter Homes’ could replace social and affordable rented properties sold under the policy. Official planning guidance states that ‘affordable housing’ can include low-cost homes for sale for buyers whose needs are not met by the market. Starter Homes – properties sold at a 20% discount to first-time buyers under 40 years of age – will also be counted as ‘affordable’ under proposed changes to planning guidance. A spokesperson for the CLG confirmed that the type of affordable housing would be decided by “local areas”.  Read more on Inside Housing.