The selling of council homes was and still remains a reckless policy and extending it to HA is simply madness.
A considerable proportion of RTB stock has now been 'recycled' into the private rented sector, especially in recent years. The pace of growth of private renting in the RTB resale sector may affect the demographics, dynamics and stability of some neighbourhoods.
The resale of RTB property into private renting results in higher Housing Benefit expenditure. One study calculated that the higher cost of accommodation in the private rented sector in a local authority led to an additional cost of £3.2 million per annum compared to the equivalent in social renting.
On the basis of the available evidence it would be extremely hazardous to attempt even a broad estimate of the likely take-up of the extension of RTB to the housing association sector in the next five years. One would imagine that many tenants on the margins of purchase will be tempted to take it up if they can access the finance to do so, whether through formal mortgages or additional support from families or friends. But such judgements must remain speculative for now. There is an urgent need for some high level modelling about possible scenarios for the future pattern of RTB activity in the housing association sector
From a Parliamentary report.
Sooooo.......
Build a shed load of "council housing".
Then what?