Sheffielders have say on' Right to Buy' policy as new council and social housing investment is announced
Thatcher’s council house policy is being re-evaluated in the wake of new council house funding
Sheffielders have shared their thoughts on the controversial ‘Right to Buy’ council house scheme following a Government pledge to restore the nation’s council house stock.
In 1980, Margaret Thatcher produced the Housing Act, a piece of legislation to that would allow council house tenants to buy their homes at a discounted rate.
The scheme helped many take their first steps onto the property ladder, however 40 years later it has been cited as one of the major causes of the ongoing housing crisis - as social housing stocks dwindle having been sold at a disproportionate rate to how many are built.
This week, South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard welcomed a Government's announcement of £249m worth of funding for the region to enable the building of more quality “council, social and affordable homes in South Yorkshire”.
He said: "Everyone deserves the security of a safe, warm and affordable home, yet too many families across South Yorkshire are still living in temporary accommodation or waiting too long for a place to call home.
“Today's investment of £249m from Government to enable 2,200 new quality council, social and affordable homes in South Yorkshire is a significant step forward and will help us to continue our significant progress towards ending the use of temporary and poor-quality accommodation for families and children.
“The reason behind today's housing crisis,” Star reader Faye Tallantyre said expressing her opinion on the policy.
Alison Parker echoed this, adding: “For every one sold, one should be built.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Tuesday (August 25) that South Yorkshire would benefit from a £249 million investment to create an estimated 2,200 new council, social and affordable homes.
It comes as the Government prioritise dealing with the housing crisis, with the PM adding: “I have said from my first day in this job that everything starts with a good home.”
Fee Cosham said that Right to Buy was a “good idea” at the time, but added: “The money earned from it that should have gone into building more didn’t happen.”
This sentiment was shared by many readers, who didn’t argue that the scheme had its benefits, but argued that it was not properly managed to avoid future problems.
“[There] should have been a clause saying of you buy a council house it can not be sold as buy to rent ever,” Donna M Marsden commented.
However, not all responses were negative, with some praising how the scheme helped them change their lives.
Amanda Davidson said: “Best thing ever for me. My rent was more expensive than my mortgage. The only way I could become a house owner.”
Andrew Hackeson-Poole added: “[It] has helped folks leave an inheritance to many who would possibly not had got much without the property value.
“Nothing wrong with aspiring to own you own home. But they sold them a bit too cheap.”