Proportion of social housing fallen since right-to-buy policy

The city used to have more than 15,600 cheap homes to rent, but that has dwindled to only 12,363, mean its proportion of social housing has fallen from 28.5 per cent to 14.8 per cent. York lost 3,081 homes by 1997 and a further 198 between 1997 and 2010.

It is a similar picture elsewhere, with East Riding of Yorkshire’s homes decreasing from 18,532 to 13,672 between 1981 and 2010, and Selby losing 321 homes, leaving it with 4,448 in 2010.

Scarborough lost 2,400 homes, with 6,277 in 2010.

Ryedale has increased the number of affordable homes, from 2,701 to 2,993 between 1981 and 2010, although private housing has increased further, causing the percentage of social housing to fall from 15.2 per cent to 12.6 per cent.

Yorkshire and Humber has lost a total 195,633 cheaper homes for rent. Ministers were warned the loss of social housing across the region lies at the heart of its housing crisis. Meanwhile, waiting lists for housing have rocketed because, critics argue, the homes that were sold off have not been replaced.

The Government published the figures as it ordered the sale of up to £10 billion-worth of publicly owned land – around hospitals, schools, military bases and roads – to allow 100,000 homes to be built.

Whitehall departments and councils will be required to identify surplus land, some of which will be sold under deals allowing developers to pay once the homes are completed.

But Shelter, the charity for the homeless, questioned how many of the homes would be affordable for low earners – given the need for the Treasury to maximise its profits from land sales.

Chief executive Campbell Robb said: “We have 1.8 million households on waiting lists, more and more families stuck in an insecure private rented sector and millions priced out of the housing market.

“A lack of affordable housing is the root cause. It is absolutely essential local authorities start prioritising spending on housing delivery to meet need.”