Homes sold under Right to Buy bought back at a rate of one a week
We're buying back properties previously sold under the Right to Buy scheme at a rate of more than one a week as part of our efforts to provide people with secure and affordable housing.
During the last financial year, we used our Home Purchase Policy to buy 62 homes at a rate of more than one a week. That pace shows no signs of slowing, with a further 11 already purchased since 1 April this year and more identified.
Once we have purchased a home, it is made available to residents most in-need of housing or currently on our housing register.
Hundreds of homes bought back since 2017
We have now purchased more than 350 homes under our Home Purchase Policy since 2017.
The government’s Right to Buy scheme previously saw large quantities of local housing taken out of our ownership. But with high rental prices evident across the city we're keen to increase our supply of council-rented homes to help residents most-impacted by the cost-of-living crisis or insecure housing.
All homes added to our housing supply in this way are then either advertised on Homemove, our social housing platform, or directly allocated as temporary accommodation for households in immediate housing need.
Access to affordable homes is one of our priorities
Councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for Housing and New Homes, said: “Making sure people have access to secure and affordable homes is one of our priorities as a council and our Homes Purchase Policy is an important tool in helping us do just that.
“I am delighted we’re returning so many homes to the council’s supply and ultimately putting ourselves in a position where we can help provide much-needed security to more people and more families who are desperate for an affordable place to build a home.”
Residents can find out more about how they can sell their home back to us by visiting: Sell your property back to the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk).