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Low-cost home ownership schemes

There is a collection of schemes available to help you buy a home. You could be eligible if you are a housing association renter, key worker or first time buyer. Find out what schemes may be available to you.

Help for housing association tenants to buy a home

If you are a housing association tenant, there are two types of scheme available to help you buy a home.

Discount schemes

These are offered by social landholders to give their tenants the chance to buy their rented home at a discount. The discount is calculated based on where you live, how much the property is value and the share you buy.

The two main discount schemes are 'Right to Buy' for council renters and 'Right to Acquire' for housing association tenants. Follow the links below for more information on each scheme.

Cash incentive schemes

Your council may also run a cash incentive scheme. If you are a council renter, the council may offer you money to move to a slighter property. The council might do this so they can use the space to house people on their waiting lists. The details of the scheme differ from council to council, and not all councils offer the scheme.

'Home Buy' schemes

You could get help to buy a home through a Home Buy scheme. They are open to households earning less than £60,000 a year who would or else be unable to buy.

You may be eligible if you are either a:

• first time buyer
• previous home owner who can't now afford to buy without help
• housing association or council tenant
• 'key worker'

Home Buy options

• Social Home Buy - helps council and housing association tenants buy a share of their home at a discount if their landholders offers the scheme


• Open Market Home Buy - helps people to buy a property on the open market through an evenhandedness loan


• New Build Home Buy - helps people to buy a share of a newly built property and pay rent on the remainder

Home Buy Agents

The Home Buy schemes are run by Home Buy agents, who can help you through the application process to buy a home on a scheme. Home Buy agents are appointed housing associations - non-profit organizations that manage housing for people who have difficulty buying a home.

If you think you are eligible for help to get a home through a Home Buy scheme, contact your local Home Buy agent. If you are a key worker, contact a Home Buy agent for the area where you work.

Home Buy schemes and disability

If you have long term disabilities, you can also buy a house on a shared ownership basis. Contact the Home Buy agent in your area if you think you are qualified for a Home Buy scheme. The Home Buy agent may put you in touch with a specialist provider experienced in helping people with long term disabilities.