86% of NHF members voted in support of the deal, representing 93% of the sector’s total rented homes.

In an email sent to housing associations – David Orr writes: “Over the past week we’ve been asking you and all our members to give your view on whether a proposal to voluntarily deliver Right to Buy should be put forward to the government.

“I’d like to thank you for considering this issue and sending us your response so quickly, given that we were working to a tight timetable which I know many of you found challenging.

“The responses we have received show that a majority of our members are in favour of the proposed offer to the government. 86% of our members who responded supported the offer, representing 93% of the sector’s total rented homes. This puts us in a position to offer the Government a Right to Buy proposal that it can be confident has the support of a sector which is ready and willing to work with it to deliver its manifesto commitment in a way that does not compromise the independence of boards.

“We have now put the offer forward to the government and await its response. We believe it is a good offer that works for all parties and we hope that the government responds positively.

“If the government accepts the offer we are making as a sector, we will work alongside you on the details of how we move forward together. I know, from conversations that my team and I have had with many associations over the last week, the serious and meticulous way that boards around the country have considered this issue.

“I know that some boards had concerns about the proposal and felt unable to support it. I know that others who did support it have identified issues where they need further reassurance as we begin to develop the detail. While there won’t be any movement on the principles set out in the offer, we will ensure we highlight all detailed concerns you’ve raised with us in discussions with the government if our offer is formally accepted.

“Finally, I want to offer personal thanks for the way in which the sector has engaged with this process. What it has shown me, once again, is that this is a sector which is bold, innovative and agile. We have a strong offer to the government, but more than that, we have shown ourselves capable of tackling big issues in an imaginative and innovative way.”

Deal in numbers

·         Members representing 93% of all housing association rented homes supported a voluntary offer

·         Members representing 5% of all housing association rented homes said ‘no’ to making a voluntary offer

·         Members representing 3% of all housing association rented homes abstained or did not respond

·         Of all members, 55% said yes, 6% said no and 39% of our members abstained or did not respond to the proposal

·         Of all 584 members, 370 responded to the survey (subsidiaries are included as groups)