A SCHEME that helps Malvern Hills residents get a foot on the property ladder is facing the axe.
Around 20 first-time buyers sign up to Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO) schemes in the district every year.
Each buys half the property they want while Elgar Housing Association purchases the remainder. The association then rents its half back to the buyer, who can then gradually increase their share until they own the property.
Government
However, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced that the Local Authority Social Housing Grant, which finances DIYSO, is to be scrapped in April.
Malvern Hills District Council, which has about £4.5m available for the scheme, and Elgar Housing will both lobby the Government to retain it.
"DIYSO has been a major plank in our provision of affordable housing because it is particularly suitable for an area like the Malvern Hills," said Keith Parry, the council's head of housing.
"It will be a major setback if we lose it".
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