Motion S5M-00905: End of Right to Buy

02 Aug 2016

That the Parliament welcomes the end of the right to buy scheme in Scotland; believes that the scheme promoted short-term gain for individuals above the long-term needs of society by directly leading to the fall in the construction of new housing; understands that the repeal of the scheme has been welcomed by housing bodies across Scotland, with the head of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations saying that the move “hasn’t come a moment too soon”; notes that nearly 500,000 homes had been sold since the scheme was introduced in 1980; further understands that, at a time of housing shortage, the removal of the right to buy will make it more viable for councils and housing associations to invest in long-term projects as they will no longer be forced to sell property at a loss, and believes that this can only be a positive step in terms of ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to affordable housing.