Wednesday 28 March 2007
One-stop for affordable home ownership in Cambridgeshire

People in Cambridgeshire looking for an affordable route to owning their own home are set to benefit from a new 'one-stop' approach.

Leading housing association bpha is now working in partnership with all local authorities in the county to handle all applications for low cost home ownership schemes.

It means house hunters will be able to find out about the home ownership options under one roof and applications will be handled by one organisation, making it more straightforward and less confusing for customers.

The new system has been introduced after bpha signed an agreement with all the local authorities in the county (as well as those in parts of West Suffolk) to manage the waiting lists for shared ownership schemes.

Previously the management of waiting lists was split. bpha, in its role as the county's HomeBuy Agent, managed all Government grant-funded shared ownership schemes, while non grant-funded schemes were managed by individual local authorities.

By bringing all waiting lists under one roof, bpha will also be able to get a much better view of supply and demand for affordable housing in the county.

David Keeling, executive director for development at bpha, said: "We are delighted to have been able to sign agreements with all the local authorities to create a truly one-stop shop approach, making the process more simple and straightforward.

"It means that all housing associations developing new homes for shared ownership, or looking to resell shared ownership homes, can come to one place.

"It will also help to give a much better understanding of supply and demand for affordable home ownership across the whole of Cambridgeshire.

"This will help to strengthen bids for future funding to build new housing in the county, which in turn will help even more people looking for affordable homes."

The announcement comes after bpha held the county's first New Homes Show, to showcase new homes available through shared ownership.

More than 500 people attended the event at the Holiday Inn, Impington, on March 1, to talk to housing association representatives and independent financial advisors.

Low cost home ownership schemes are designed to help priority groups, such as existing housing association tenants, those on the housing waiting list, key workers (frontline public sector workers such as nurses and teachers) and some first time buyers.

To find out more about the help on offer, contact Keyhomes East, bpha's sales and marketing team, on 0845 4566757.