WEIR WELCOMES £24 MILLION ‘LIFT’ FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS

"Housing market will be more accessible for Angus’ young first time buyers" - Weir

Angus MP, Mike Weir, has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is investing £24million to help more first-time buyers get into the property market.

The new funding, announced today by Communities and Sport Minister Stewart Maxwell, will see the extension, and improvement, of the open market shared equity pilot which currently operates in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The extended scheme will now be available to first-time buyers in Angus.  

The affordable housing programme, which is part of the Government’s new Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT), will help more people on low incomes buy a home on the open market, with the help of a housing association.  

Speaking at the launch of the extended scheme the Minister, Stewart Maxwell said:  

“ The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the supply and availability of affordable housing, across all tenures, throughout the country.  

“ This £24million investment to expand and improve our open market shared equity pilot will help more first-time buyers in rural and urban areas get into the property market. 

Speaking on the benefits for Angus Mr Weir said: 

“ Many people on low incomes in Angus have found it difficult to buy their first home, which is why we have improved the targeting of the scheme to ensure tenants of councils and other social landlords are aware of, and have access to, this shared equity pilot.

" Many young families and individuals in Angus have raised concerns with me about not only the difficulties of getting on the housing ladder but getting a home. This investment marks a significant improvement in fortunes for first time buyers and should also help make available more social housing as families secure their own home.