LAs not buying unsold properties

Social landlords in the 20 areas with the longest social housing waiting lists have bought only 20 properties between them through the government’s £200 million rescue package. Just four local authorities have bought any stock at the national clearing house programme set up in May this year to allow providers to buy up private developers’ unsold stock. In total more than 1,500 homes have been bought across England, but just 18 were in the areas with the highest percentage of households waiting for a social home. A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said there were more deals in the pipeline to buy up homes ‘at the right prices in the right places’.