Despite a Labour-run Reading Council house building programme, the total number of council homes in Reading has decreased by five between 2021 and 2023, impacting residents in need of affordable housing.
Data from the council reveals a net loss of five council homes, with the number dropping from 6,987 in 2021/22 to 6,982 in 2023/24. This reduction is attributed to the loss of homes through ‘right to buy’ sales, leaving fewer affordable homes available for local families. ‘Right to buy’ has been called one of the biggest acts of privatisation ever undertaken, transferring over £40 billion worth of value away from local authorities in the last 45 years, leaving millions of people in ‘grotty privately rented accomodation’.
In 2023, it was reported that Reading had the largest council house waitlist in the county with 3,187 households waiting for a council property. Rough sleeping in Reading is also at an all-time high.
Councillor Dave McElroy (Green Party, Redlands Ward, 2024 MP candidate) commented:
“It is crazy that during a housing crisis, Reading has lost council homes overall – down by five, despite council house building. This loss directly impacts families and individuals who are struggling to find affordable housing. While we acknowledge the efforts to build new homes, the overall loss shows the need for a more effective strategy locally and nationally.
“Greens in Reading want more investment in building council houses which are the homes we really need. We don’t need any more unaffordable luxury flats going up in the town centre for example! We also need to see changes at Westminster that protect the public housing stocks we already have. Green MPs are working for this at a national level.”
The more people who get involved, the more of a difference we can make on issues like this. If you have time to help deliver leaflets or knock on doors, then get in contact (https://reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved/). Or why not join the Green Party (https://join.greenparty.org.uk/)?