New scheme helps keyworkers on to the housing ladder

Keyworkers in Derbyshire are the first to benefit from the government’s First Homes scheme, which offers homes at a discount of at least 30% of the market price to local first-time buyers and keyworkers.

In addition, the government has announced that 1,500 First Homes will be built in over 100 locations across England by March 2023 following successful bidding by housebuilders.

The First Homes scheme is currently in a pilot phase, with sites in Bolsover, Cannock and Newton Aycliffe among the first to put homes on the market.

The government estimates that at least 10,000 First Homes will be delivered across the country each year by 2027/28.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: ‘I am absolutely delighted that the first people to benefit from First Homes include a nurse and police officer. They have been helped to own a home in the community where they have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to keep people safe.

‘This scheme is putting local people first and creating opportunities for young people and families to feel the sense of pride that comes with homeownership. We are determined to help more people on to the housing ladder and are providing significant funding to regenerate derelict land, deliver new homes and create prosperous local communities across the country.’

A nurse called Laura, who benefitted from the scheme, commented: ‘It feels very surreal now we have moved into our house, it has been a long time coming and something we have worked towards for the past few years.

‘When the First Homes scheme became available it was too much of a good opportunity to miss, it enabled us to put down a 10% deposit on our house – something we would probably not have been able to do without the scheme. There are so many advantages with the scheme, and it gave us a chance to own a 3-bed detached house and our first home to grow in to.’

In related news, new government statistics on affordable housing supply in England show that between March 2020 and April 2021 just one social home was built for every 195 households stuck on housing waiting lists.

Photo by Tierra Mallorca