Helping local people to buy their own home

Published by Liz Reeson for Two Rivers Housing in Housing

Two show homes will open next week to demonstrate how local people could take a step towards owning their own home, even if they don’t think they can afford it.

Shared ownership is a part-buy, part-rent scheme that could offer a solution to people of all ages who have a regular income and who want to live in a good quality and affordable home that they might eventually be able to buy outright.

Two Rivers Housing is opening the doors of its show homes in Newent next Friday and Saturday (22 and 23 March) to give people an idea of what might be possible.

High house prices and deposit requirements make it increasingly difficult for would-be first-time buyers to take their first step towards buying their own home. Yet Two Rivers believes that owning a property – either in full or in part – can make a positive contribution to people’s personal aspirations.

It also has additional benefits to the wider local economy and communities, by helping them to live and work in areas they might not otherwise be able to afford.

The development of two and three-bedroom shared ownership homes in Newent has recently been acquired by Two Rivers, and they will be open for viewings during the National Housing Federation’s Shared Ownership Week (18-24 March). Two Rivers is hoping that the week will help to bring shared ownership to the attention of people in the Forest of Dean.

“We understand that there are major obstacles facing people who aspire to owning their own home, but we think shared ownership could be the way forward for many of them,” explained Jasmine Ellicott, who manages the scheme at Two Rivers.

“Shared ownership allows the occupant to spread the costs between rent and a mortgage. In many cases, further shares can be bought in the house, and the occupant could end up owning it outright.

“It’s an exciting and affordable alternative to simply renting that can really improve people’s lives and the houses on our newest development in Newent are lovely and well worth a look!”

To find out more about shared ownership, the show home at 76 Meek Road, Meadow Grove, off Onslow Road, Newent, will be open between 10am and 2pm on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 March.

Alternatively, look on the Two Rivers Housing website – www.tworivershousing.org.uk .