A local authority in London is to buy back over 300 properties it built and sold off years ago under Right To Buy rules.

Islington’s Labour council is to buy 310 units this winter –  a mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom properties for individuals and families – on top of the 140 it bought over the summer.

The additional properties will provide temporary accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness, or who have had to leave Afghanistan or Ukraine.  

The expanded programme is part of the council’s commitment to increasing the number of council-owned homes in the borough and will continue what the council calls “Islington’s proud history of welcoming refugees.”

The council secured an additional £82m from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to expand the buy-back scheme. It will also add £85m of funding. In total, it has secured £102m of funding from DLUHC and the Greater London Authority to deliver its buy-backs programme. 

A spokesperson for the council says: “We want everyone in Islington to have a safe, decent and genuinely affordable place to call home. 

“Every council home we buy back or build is another home where people can thrive. These homes will provide a secure base from which people who are experiencing homelessness or have had to flee conflict can start to rebuild their lives locally. 

“They will mean more people benefit from good quality temporary accommodation in Islington when they need it most. I’m proud that we are leading the way with our buy-backs programme and also doing everything we can to increase the amount of council homes in the borough.”