Shelter’s response to the government’s annual social housing sales figures

Shelter’s response to the government’s annual social housing sales figures below:

  • In 2017-18, a total of 6,463 social homes were delivered – 84% fewer than in 2010-11. This is despite a slight increase in the overall number of homes supplied (an extra 562) compared with the previous year.
  • In 2017-18, a total of 20,891 social homes were sold by local authorities and housing associations. This means for every 3 homes sold, only 1 gets built.
  • Since 2012-13 when the Right-to-Buy replacement scheme was first introduced by the government a total of 91,003 social homes have been sold off under Right-to-Buy.
  • However, only 16,222 replacement social homes have been started or bought. This means that for every 6 homes sold through Right-to-Buy, only 1 new home is delivered.

Greg Beales, campaign director at Shelter, said: “These figures make it painfully clear – we’re still delivering far fewer social homes than we’re selling off.

“There is no easy way to gloss over the fact that for every three homes sold, only one gets built. This is nothing short of a disaster when hundreds of thousands of people are currently homeless, and millions more are struggling in deeply insecure and expensive private renting.

“There’s an obvious solution – build more social homes and ensure those sold are always replaced. That’s why Shelter has launched a commission that will soon set out for a vision for the pivotal role social housing must play in ending the housing crisis.”

Source of information Shelter

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

London rents outperform property values

The latest research by London lettings and estate agent, Benham and Reeves, has revealed that rental growth has outperformed house price growth across 26 of London’s 32 boroughs since the start of the year, with rents continuing to climb despite weaker property price performance across much of the capital. Benham and Reeves analysed the average…
Read More →
Breaking News

Rental property availability falls

The number of rental properties available across England fell by 12.1% during the third quarter of 2026, according to new analysis by Dwelly, highlighting an increasingly competitive rental market in many parts of the country. Dwelly is one of the UK’s largest rental property management groups, with more than 15,000 properties under management. The firm’s…
Read More →
Breaking News

Average advertised rents surpass £1,400 for the first time

The average advertised rent of homes outside London has risen to a new record of £1,418 per calendar month, up 1.5% this quarter: Despite a new record rent, annual rental growth has returned to a more stable level of +2.4% Number of available rental homes nationally is 2% lower than a year ago, while renter…
Read More →
Breaking News

Barclays unlocks wider mortgage access for company directors

Limited company directors who meet the income threshold can now have their Profit After Tax (PAT) considered in their affordability assessment regardless of property value The change means that, for a wider group of limited company directors, Barclays will consider a fuller view of the applicant’s income The update is the latest in a series…
Read More →
Breaking News

Homebuyer demand fall in Q3

The latest sales demand data from eXp UK has revealed that homebuyer demand in England slipped by -1.6% in Q3 2026. The analysis shows that just five counties managed positive growth during the quarter, suggesting that buyers may be holding back, adopting a wait-and-see approach ahead of what promises to be a vital Autumn Budget –…
Read More →
Estate Agent Talk

Alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost

‘Don’t get caught short’ warning to homeowners from valuations experts – alterations can change a property’s rebuild cost Properties change over time. Homeowners may add an extension, upgrade a kitchen or bathroom, alter the layout, or even change how the building is used, but when do those changes mean it’s time for a new rebuild…
Read More →