17 September 2007, 07/306
Need a place of your own?
Want to buy a home but struggling to find a property that you
can afford? Well the District Council wants everyone to know that
help is at hand.
All over the country first time buyers are struggling to get a foot
on the property ladder but there are a number of options out there
to help you get started:
Open market home buy
This scheme is aimed
primarily at first time buyers by offering a 25% equity loan
towards the cost of buying a house on the open market. This works
out much cheaper than buying a house without the equity loan and
means you may be able to stretch your money further. In Lancashire
this scheme is operated by Plumlife. For more details call 0161 447
5050 or visit the Plumlife website.
Shared ownership schemes
This allows you to
buy a share of a property, which is funded by a mortgage, and pay
rent on the remaining share you don't own. The combined mortgage
and rent payment is comparable to that of a mortgage, if you tried
to buy an equivalent priced property outright, and means you may be
able to get onto the property ladder.
To register your interest in this type of scheme or other
affordable housing schemes that help you to buy a home, contact the
Council's Strategic Housing Administrator on 01695 585371 who will
send you an enquiry form and other useful information.
Alternatively the form can be found by visiting the Housing
section.
Renting affordable property
If buying your own property still proves too much of a financial
strain, Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and the Council provide
affordable housing to rent across the district. The Council owns
over 6000 properties and to be considered for a council home all
you need to do is put your name down on the housing register. To do
this, simply fill in a housing application form which can be found
by visiting the Housing section or by calling 01695 577177. A list
of RSLs is also available on the council website.
Cllr Val Hopley, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "Increasing
the amount of affordable housing in the district is a top priority
for the Council. The first ever Affordable Housing Strategy 2008-13
is currently being finalised, which aims to bring about more
affordable housing options to the region - I look forward to seeing
more first time buyers stepping onto the property ladder."
Related information
> Council
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> Housing