Councils Do Not Think That Starter Homes Will Address Affordable Housing Need

Local councils, of all political parties, have agreed that the Government’s Starter Homes policy will hinder rather than help to tackle the growing need for genuinely affordable housing in England.

·         almost 80% of local councils do not think that Starter Homes should be classified as affordable housing and only 7% of councils think they will address the need for affordable housing in their local authority areas

·         Over two thirds anticipate that they will be building less social and affordable housing as a result of the Government’s plans to reduce social rents by 1% a year for the next four years

·         96% of councils described their need for affordable homes as severe or moderate

·         Nine out of 10 councils are concerned that the extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants will mean that there will be less socially-rented homes available

Read more on the Town & Country Planning website.