Bushey’s largest social housing provider has been selling off vacant properties, according to local councillors.
Councillors have expressed outrage after it emerged that Peabody Trust has allegedly been selling off vacancies occurring within its stock.
This has reportedly resulted in the sale of half of all new vacancies, including 12 of the 14 three-bedroom houses becoming vacant last year.
Councillor Alan Matthews, cabinet member for housing, said: “We have high levels of housing need with large numbers of overcrowded tenants, high demand from the homeless and an acute need for family-sized homes.
“Casual vacancies are our major source of supply and in Bushey we are completely dependent on Peabody. This cut in supply will have devastating consequences for residents in housing need (including Peabody’s own tenants) who will now wait many years if they are ever rehoused.
“It is unacceptable for a social landlord to make matters worse and we are escalating with Peabody, and will report to the Regulator of Social Housing if necessary.”
A spokesperson for Peabody said: “Most Peabody homes that become empty in Hertsmere are repaired and re-let through the council’s nomination process, going to local families in need.
“We understand concerns about the sale of some empty homes, but we only sell when a home is no longer suitable to rent or would cost too much to bring up to a satisfactory standard. These decisions are always made carefully by both local and senior teams.
“When we do decide to sell, we first look at whether another affordable housing provider could take it on, and we give the council first refusal.
“We know how important family-sized homes are, and we’re working with the council on new ways to free up larger homes in the area – for example, by supporting residents who want to downsize. Early discussions have been very positive, and we’re keen to keep building on this work together to make more homes available for those who need them.
“As a not-for-profit housing association, we reinvest our income in homes and services for residents. When we sell a home, the money helps us improve others, including funding major repairs and upgrades. Over the past four years, we’ve spent around £5.5million in repairing and maintaining homes in Hertsmere, and £430million across all our regions in the past year alone.
“We recently met with councillors and provided a written update on our approach. We remain committed to working closely with them to tackle the housing challenges we all face.”
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