SHARED home ownership provider Co-Ownership has hit the significant milestone of having helped 30,000 people to buy their own property in Northern Ireland.
The not-for-profit organisation was established in 1978 to help people who were having difficulty in raising a deposit, on low income, or in non-permanent employment, to get on to the property ladder.
And it has now supported 30,000 people to buy an affordable property, and it currently co-owns more than 9,500 homes across the north.
Co-Ownership chief executive Mark Graham said: “This is a tremendous milestone, with our team helping 30,000 people to buy their own home, changing lives and supporting families wherever we can.
“I'm immensely proud of the work we do and would like to thank every single one of those 30,000 co-owners for being a part of our story.”
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “I'm delighted that the recent allocation of £145 million funding from my department will ensure Co-Ownership can continue to provide an affordable route into home ownership for some of those who would otherwise be unable to purchase their own home.”
Under the scheme (www.co-ownership.org), co-owners buy the share in a home that they can afford (between 50 per cent and 90 per cent) and Co-Ownership covers the rest.
When they’re able to, co-owners can then increase their share bit-by-bit until they own their home outright.
