Abolition of Right to Buy Scheme ‘Progressing’

Proposals which would see the Right to Buy policy scrapped in Wrexham and across Wales have moved a step closer.

The Welsh Labour Government say they remain committed to protecting and increasing the stock of social housing after the National Assembly voted to agree the general principles of the Bill.

Welcoming the latest developments, Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: “Abolishing Right to Buy was a significant Welsh Labour manifesto commitment. Since its inception in the 1980s, Welsh local authorities and housing associations have lost almost 140,000 homes from their social housing stock.”

“Over 6,000 council homes have been sold in Wrexham since the creation of the county borough in 1996, with many ending up in the private rented sector.”

“Everyone deserves a stable, affordable home but unfortunately constituents in Wrexham regularly contact me with housing issues. Local authorities are under pressure but the Welsh Labour Government is acting decisively to protect social housing for those who really need it.”

“Moving forward, it will be vital people who live in social housing understand and are made aware of the changes to the law.”

The Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill aims to abolish the right of eligible secure tenants to buy their home at a discount.

Between 1981 and 2016, over 139,000 local authority and housing association homes were sold under these schemes, Welsh Labour say this has resulted in people in housing need, many of whom are vulnerable, waiting longer to access a home they can afford.

Following the agreement of the general principles of the Bill, a consultation on the information document that will be issued to tenants has been launched – viewable here.