Let’s not condemn PM’s idea just yet
We should not rush to condemn David Cameron’s idea to end security of tenure for new tenants in social housing (Inside Housing, 6 August).
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I think the idea should be considered carefully before being condemned out of hand. I have argued for something of this sort for many years.
It cannot be right that people continue to live in taxpayer subsidised housing when they don’t need it or when they can afford to buy or rent privately. By doing so, they are depriving other people of affordable housing they badly and urgently need.
There is no way we could build or afford to build social housing for everyone who wants it. The only way to free up more social housing is to get tenants who are now much better off to buy or rent privately. There must be ways to sweeten the pill by giving incentives for first-time buyers or market renters.
The proposals may not go down well with people who had a vested interest in managing vast chunks of subsidised housing, but we could house many more needy households than we do at the moment.
Tony Soares, housing consultant