The SNP Government has announced measures to give older people greater access to affordable homes, through the introduction of greater flexibility to shared equity schemes.
For the first time, older people will be able to access a range of home ownership schemes which can remove the requirement for a mortgage contribution and make older people a priority access group.
The new scheme can also provide options that bring older people closer to family and care support that are more affordable and suitable for their needs – including downsizing, or the option to buy a retirement or supported home.
A successful pilot project targeted at those aged 60 and over has already been set up in Paisley. The development includes 38 ‘independent living’ homes, aimed at retirement living, through shared equity and social rent.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Thanks to improvements in health and hygiene over the last decades, people are living longer than ever before. In North Ayrshire alone, there are currently over 35,000 people aged 60 or over. This is 26% of the population and the number is set to rise further over the coming years.
“It is important that we keep older people as empowered and independent as possible, by providing high quality and affordable housing that meets their needs and enables them remain in their own home for as long as they can.
“As people get older their housing needs can change - we are responding to that with new and innovative solutions. These schemes can provide older people the opportunity to realise the home ownership that works for them and ensures they are part of our bold ambitions for affordable housing.”
Details about the schemes older people can now benefit from can be found here.
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