JuneSim63 💚

Good article here on the factors restricting building new council homes, not least Right to Buy (which should be abolished, not merely restricted), and the housing debt transferred to local authorities by the Tory/LibDem coalition.

#Housing #RTB #CouncilHouses #UKPolitics

In Somerset, I found glorious proof that the UK can build great council houses. So what is holding us back? | John Harris | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/25/council-homes-somerset-uk-glorious-proof-labour

In Somerset, I found glorious proof that the UK can build great council houses. So what is holding us back?

It was life-affirming to meet the residents of Rainbow Way in Minehead. But so much still stands in the way of Labour’s vision for social housing, says Guardian columnist John Harris

The Guardian
Jan 25 at 7:39amWeb
Show threadLionelBJan 25

@junesim63

The biggest factor being the outright hostility of the Labour Party.

Show threadBashStKidJan 25
@junesim63 Someone who knows more about local govt finance than me might ask how that transferred debt to local councils could be written off, or nearly written down to a few pence in the pound.
Who is it even paid to?
Show threadHugh FergusonJan 25
@junesim63 what's stopping it? The owners don't want that
Show threadCllr Gareth KitchenJan 26
@junesim63
There's some good background info in Stroud's Council Homes Strategy.

https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/tzzn2jxo/strategy-for-new-council-homes-2025-2030.pdf

We take on the debt but ensure there is a reasonable correlation against future rental income.

This is one of a few of schemes underway (or close to being underway) in my ward.

https://listed.to/@eco_g/59963/affordable-houses-on-bradley-gloucester-street