Initial 'First Home' developments sold

Keyworkers from Bolsover, Derbyshire, are benefiting from the government’s First Homes scheme, offering homes at a discount of at least 30 per cent of the market price.

A total of 1,500 First Homes will now be built in over 100 locations across England by March 2023 following successful bidding by housebuilders. This follows plans by Eastleigh Borough Council to deliver 200 First Homes in the borough – the largest to date.

First Homes is currently in its pilot phase with a number of early delivery projects supporting the roll out of the scheme. Sites in Bolsover, Cannock and Newton Aycliffe are among the first to put homes on the market. The government estimated 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.”

The government has also today published the prospectus for Help to Build, a £150m scheme announced in April to make self and custom build housing a realistic and affordable option.

The prospectus outlines how the scheme works, so that those thinking about building their own homes but are held back by affordability, can plan their projects and apply when applications are open.