Charity questions home ownership schemes
The government’s plans to help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder have been called into question by new research into home ownership.
Most people are more concerned with living in a safe neighbourhood and being able to afford their housing costs than owning their own home, according to a report by Shelter.
Shelter’s Ben Jackson said: “Our research looked at the bigger picture and found that people’s first priority for themselves and their children is not home ownership – but having a safe, decent home they can afford.”
He added: “If the government really wants to meet people’s housing aspirations, it should focus public money on helping them to live in a decent, secure home in a neighbourhood where they feel safe, rather than encouraging them to chase the property dream.”
At the general election, Labour pledged to create one million new homeowners through part-rent part buy schemes.
