Low Cost Home Ownership.

The HomeBuy and Shared Ownership schemes have been  replaced by new Low Cost Home Ownership schemes

• HomeBuy is now “Open Market HomeBuy”
• Shared Ownership is now “New Build HomeBuy” (The link on the left 'The Homebuy Scheme' shows descriptions of the different HomeBuy schemes)
• A new scheme for housing association tenants is called “Social HomeBuy”

The council no longer keeps a register of enquiries for Low Cost Home Ownership. An organisation called Orbit First Step has now been appointed as the region’s HomeBuy Agent and they will provide a “one stop shop” for people who are interested in these schemes.  You can telephone Orbit First Step on 0345 8502050 or you can log on to their web site (see "External Links" on this page) to register with them and to see current information about HomeBuy properties available in the region. This information is constantly updated by Housing Associations as they complete new homes.  When a new home becomes available, the HomeBuy Agent will tell the Housing Association who has enquired about a home in that area so that everyone on their register has an opportunity to apply for a suitable home.

Contact your landlord if you are a Housing Association tenant and are interested in the Social Homebuy scheme.