New government figures show only one social home is built for almost every three sold off

Shelter responds to government figures showing dwindling numbers of social housing under the Right to Buy scheme. The data shows:

• that in the last year, 11,649 social homes have been sold off – while only 4,566 social homes are being built
• this means only one social home is being built for almost every three sold

Shelter’s Campaigns Director, Greg Beales, said: “These dismal figures show that at a time when more families than ever need affordable homes, their chances of getting one are being wrenched away.

“Social housing must play a critical role in fixing the housing crisis in the future, but not if housing that’s sold off is not replaced, depleting what’s available for families who need urgent help.

“It is absolutely vital that any properties sold are replaced on a like-for-like basis. Without this guarantee, every home lost is another dent in our dwindling supply of the genuinely affordable homes people are crying out for.”