Happy Friday everyone. This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed plans for a new right to buy scheme - allowing social association tenants to buy their own homes and people on Universal Credit to put their benefits towards a mortgage.
But what does this mean for Greater Manchester, where there is already a struggle for social housing? Our CEO Jo Walby spoke to BBC North West Tonight and BBC Radio Manchester to give Mustard Tree’s responses to the announcement - we would like to share these with you.
Initiative could ‘worsen housing crisis’
In discussion with BBC Political Editor Annabel Tiffin, Jo explains why this proposal could worsen the housing crisis in Greater Manchester.
“At a time when we’re already struggling with a housing crisis in Greater Manchester, to then have an initiative which says we will reduce the social housing stock, and we may look to replace that with some vague initiative, does not give confidence - it breeds panic really”.
You can click below to view the whole segment.
For a more in-depth analysis of the initiative, you can also listen to Jo’s interview with Becky Want on BBC Radio Manchester, in the header of this newsletter.
Removing the safety net
In it, Jo speaks about how the plans could “remove the safety net of social housing for future generations of families”.
“It might help one family who would be lucky enough to buy their home, but it absolutely removes the safety net of social housing for future generations of families. We’ve had significant under-investment in council housing for the last 30-40 years. We’re trying to build this back up now, so the thought of selling it off again just fills me with dread”.
Jo goes on to talk about temporary accommodation levels, and how the cost of living crisis has dramatically increased demand for our Food Clubs.
This week, our Ancoats Community Shop relaunched with a reformatted Food Club, expanded to help accommodate the influx of new clients now in need of the service.
“It’s affecting more and more of us - we’re going to go through a really difficult 18 months or so now. So anything that threatens the creaking social services we’ve got in place now by suggesting that we sell it off to individuals, is really scary to be honest”.
To listen to the full interview, scroll to the top of the page and hit the play button.
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Right to Buy Special