Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of the Labour-run Brighton and Hove City Council, is overseeing a significant initiative to address housing shortages in the area. The council has recently approved a plan to spend £50 million to acquire 200 homes over the next two years, specifically targeting properties from private landlords. This approach aims to replenish the city’s limited stock of social housing and temporary accommodation.
Brighton is experiencing a housing crisis marked by rising rents and a high number of families on waiting lists. Currently, over 1.3 million families across England await social housing, with Brighton having about 5,000 households on its register. Taylor highlights the struggle in Brighton, where housing costs align with those in London, yet wages do not reflect that reality. The situation has reportedly worsened in the past year.
A contributing factor to the local housing crisis is the impact of the right to buy policy introduced during Margaret Thatcher’s tenure, which has significantly reduced the council’s housing stock. Since 1980, more than a third of local social homes have been sold, often converting into private rentals or houses in multiple occupation. Taylor argues that this historical move has entrenched higher housing costs for local authorities.
Brighton’s council anticipates overspending its budget by approximately £3.8 million on temporary accommodation this year, primarily benefitting private landlords rather than addressing the underlying housing needs. The council’s acquisition program marks a shift towards increasing social housing stock for the first time in decades, although the process remains gradual.
As the government plans to build 1.5 million new homes nationally, concerns arise over whether funding will prioritize areas like Brighton, where development land is limited and expensive. Ultimately, while Brighton is taking steps to combat its housing challenges, the effectiveness of broader national strategies remains to be seen.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/26/right-to-buy-reverse-brighton-tackling-social-housing-crisis