Almost a third of social homes in the city have been lost since the introduction of Right to Buy, a study has found.

Almost 6,000 council homes have been lost in Brighton and Hove since 1979, with a total of 5,473 homes sold off through the Right to Buy policy during this period.

Research by Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion Sian Berry found the only years since the policy’s introduction that had a sustained increase in housing stock were between 2019 and 2022, when there was a net gain of just 140 council homes.

The policy, introduced by Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, gives tenants the legal right to buy their council home, often at a large discount.

While credited for creating a boom in home ownership, it also caused a huge drop in the amount of social housing across the country.

Sian Berry said: “The reality behind the shocking total loss of council homes in Brighton and Hove is families doubled up in overcrowded and unhealthy homes and young parents without their own space, as well as hundreds of people stuck sofa-surfing and disabled people without properly accessible homes.

“Right to Buy has been a strategic failure. It has leached away the social housing that people need and contributed to soaring prices that put too many homes beyond the average person.

“Brighton is a notoriously expensive place and the miserable reality is that even privately renting a home is out of reach for far too many families.”

The Argus: Sian Berry, Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion, has urged the government to get rid of Right to BuySian Berry, Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion, has urged the government to get rid of Right to Buy (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

Ms Berry said buying more homes to convert to social use and ending the policy would help stem the loss of council homes.

She said: “Decent housing is a human right and an excellent public investment. A secure, affordable home improves mental and physical health, reduces financial stress and lifts the huge burden of uncertainty that comes with private renting.”

It comes as Caroline Lucas, the current Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, prepares to put forward a motion in Parliament calling on the government to abolish Right to Buy in England.