Posted 03.07.13
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the final ending of Right to Buy (RTB) in Scotland, which could see up to 15,000 social houses protected from sale over the next decade.
As a result of previous reforms to RTB and suspensions in pressured areas, the Right to Buy is already unavailable to many social housing tenants.
Making the announcement on a visit to Queens Cross Housing Association in Glasgow, the Deputy First Minister said:
"It is absolutely vital that people can access social housing when they need it most. Social housing is under significant pressure and so too are the budgets that support it.
"The Scottish Government is doing everything possible to maximise our investment in housing and deliver on our target of 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this Parliament. But, given the pressure on both the housing stock and budgets - and with 400,000 people on waiting lists for social housing - we can no longer afford to see badly needed homes lost to the social sector.
"That is why I am today announcing the final stage of the abolition of the Right to Buy - a decision that will safeguard Scotland's social housing stock for the benefit of citizens today and for our future generations.
"Tenants who currently have a Right to Buy will have a period of three years from the date of royal assent of the Housing Bill in which they will be able to exercise that right - but after that date it will no longer be possible to buy social houses.
"This will mean that social houses will always be available for long term rent, helping to ease pressure on the social rented stock.
"More than 450,000 houses have already been sold through Right to Buy and although the policy has been restricted in recent years, its final abolition will safeguard an estimated 15,000 homes over the next decade.
"Notwithstanding our decision to end the Right to Buy, which has been fully consulted on, the Government remains committed to helping people buy their own homes and our shared equity schemes are helping - and will continue to help - thousands of people get a foot on the property ladder."
