Eastleigh MP welcomes soaraway success of homes for heroes (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

Eastleigh MP welcomes soaraway success of homes for heroes

February 19, 2010 12:51 PM

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has welcomed the soaraway success of a pilot scheme to allow members of the armed forces to put their first foot on the housing ladder at home.

The scheme is run by Eastleigh-headquartered Swaythling housing society in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and funds half of the cost of buying a home in any part of the country.

Chris Huhne said: "This homes for heroes scheme is proving to be a soaraway success with 440 applications from the launch in January alone flooding in from bases all over the world including Cyprus, Germany and Ireland.

"The scheme is meant to be for just 80 homes in the first year, but at this rate it is proving a real winner in helping our servicemen and women achieve their ambitions."

Chris Huhne visited Swaythling to discuss the success of the scheme with director Ralph Facey and saw for himself the level of interest. "Even while I was visiting Collins House - the Swaythling HQ - a soldier and his wife turned up to register," said Chris.

Mr Facey said that the interest in the scheme had far exceeded expectations at the beginning.

Under the Home Ownership Pilot Scheme, the Government will provide members of the Armed Forces with up to 50 per cent of a property's value, helping them to get on to the housing ladder in any part of the country.

The £20 million Ministry of Defence-funded pilot will run until Spring 2013, and is managed jointly by the Homes and Communities Agency and Swaythling Housing Association. The scheme is open to serving members of the armed forces of between four and six years service.

Chris Huhne said: "Our troops do an amazing job overseas in very difficult circumstances away from family and friends.

"This scheme will allow them to get a foot on the housing ladder - something that is very difficult in the current economic climate- and will make sure they are not disadvantaged by their overseas postings.

"We must do all we can to support our Armed Forces, and I am delighted that a local housing association is taking the lead in this pilot scheme."