Affordable homes being built in village
WORK has started on an affordable housing scheme in a village.
The nine-home project at North Luffenham is being carried out by Spire Homes.
The development in Pinfold Lane, due to be completed in August, will include a mix of homes available for rent and shared ownership schemes where residents pay rent on half the property and a mortgage on the other.
North Luffenham Parish Council chairman Syd Overington, of Kings Road, said: "It has taken a long time to get to this stage and at first it wasn't clear what demand there would be for the homes, but the whole aim was to allow people with local connections to stay in the village and I hope that will be successful."
Shared ownership is something that has allowed Hollie Marston and Matt Hill the chance to become home-owners.
They have settled into a two-bedroom semi-detached home in Empingham.
They used to rent a house in Stamford but jumped at the chance of entering a shared ownership scheme when Matt's mum saw it advertised in the Rutland Times. The scheme involves buying 50 per cent of a property - either outright or by securing a mortgage - and paying subsidised rent on the other half.
Hollie and Matt contacted Spire Homes immediately and were told they needed a local connection to qualify for one of the homes. Luckily they both work in the area and have family and friends in the area.
Hollie, 24, a hairdresser, said: "Shared ownership is really good for young people and I've told all my friends about it. We never thought we would be able to afford to buy outright because it's such an expensive area.
Their home in Beckworth Grove is designed to be energy efficient and has a garden. The couple also received 750 towards legal fees and free carpets to get started.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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