Former school sites worth about £250,000 are to be sold for nominal sums so they can be developed to provide affordable housing.
Leicester City Council says it wants to help the Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) build 32 homes by effectively giving it the land at what was Queensmead Junior School and Bendbow Rise Infant School, in Braunstone.
Both schools closed several years ago.
Assistant mayor for housing councillor Andy Connelly said the sites would probably be transferred for £1 each, in line with previously approved deals, to pave the way for new homes to be built.
He said: "I know some people have the view we are just giving sites away, but that is not how I look at it.
"This is our way in investing in the provision of affordable social housing in the city which is much needed.
"It is surplus land which we make available to housing associations, who then deliver the homes."
The council says the Queensmead site, off Hamelin Road, is worth £150,000 and the Bendbow Rise land worth £100,000.
Plans by NCHA to develop both sites are to be considered by the council's planning committee on Wednesday.
Planning officers have recommended both schemes be approved.
The Bendbow Rise site has been earmarked for 10 houses and a bungalow, but there have been objections from nearby residents.
A petition with the names of 17 objectors has been sent to planners along with two letters of concern.
There are fears two willow trees will be chopped down.
Ward councillor Wayne Naylor said: "Though I support the building of housing in the area, as the kind of housing proposed is greatly needed, I would like to see it with at least some green space being maintained where the willow trees are."
The Queensmead site would have 15 houses and six flats built on it.
The former school buildings were demolished after pupils and staff were relocated to new premises.
Earlier this year, council bosses agreed to sell a plot of land at Manor Farm,Hamilton, which was worth £650,000 for £1 so 15 affordable homes could be built
The council agreed the £1 sale of 13 acres of former allotment land off Saffron Lane so that 50 social homes could be built.
Under the terms of the deal, the city council will also contribute £197,200 to the scheme – cash it has made from selling council homes – and expects to pay about £308,000 towards the infrastructure works of the development. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has been criticised by both opposition and Labour members for agreeing to sell other council assets for £1.
The mayor approved the £1 sale of a £180,000 building in Highfields to the Pakistani Youth and Community Association, while indicating 20 similar transactions could be authorised.
He has also agreed to allow an arts charity to buy a £200,000 warehouse in the city's cultural quarter for £1 after it secured a £300,000 Arts Council grant to renovate the property.
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