Tilia Homes has today announced that it will offer Sage Homes’ shared ownership scheme Home Stepper, across 25 developments nationwide

The initiative provides an alternative route to homeownership, enabling those who have difficulty affording a home outright to purchase one on a part-buy, part-rent basis.

Government statistics reveal an uptick in shared ownership homes — around 76,500 new homes between 2015/16 and 2020/21 — and interest in such schemes has also surged online. Google searches for shared ownership have seen significant (22%) year-on-year growth.1,2

In response, Tilia Homes is now offering the already successful Home Stepper scheme on a range of one- to four-bedroom homes nationwide. This includes properties at its flagship sustainable development, Osprey View, in Suffolk, which boasts modern amenities such as air source heat pumps, secure bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging facilities.

Tilia Homes also recently introduced the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Deposit Unlock scheme to its range of incentives. A welcome solution for those saving for a deposit on their first home, or in need of an additional boost to upgrade to a larger property to accommodate a growing family, the scheme enables purchasers to buy with just a 5% deposit.

Andrew Hammond, Group Managing Director at Tilia Homes, comments: "We understand that our customers currently require more support and flexibility and, as an agile homebuilder with an experienced team, we are well placed to adapt to a fluctuating market. Building upon the success of the Deposit Unlock scheme, our collaboration with Sage Homes reaffirms our unwavering commitment to helping as many people as possible onto and up the property ladder and will enable more people to move into a modern home that meets their needs within a brand-new, thriving community.

“Although cautious, we are undeterred by challenging market conditions and are strategically expanding our land portfolio in areas where people truly want to live. This direction not only serves our customers now, but also sets the stage for our long-term growth plans and combined with enhanced financial support through schemes, such as Deposit Unlock and Home Stepper, will enable us to offer suitable homes in the most sought-after areas for years to come.”

Iain McPherson, Chief Operating Officer at Sage Homes, adds: “In just over five years we’ve delivered 12,700 new affordable homes, with Home Stepper bringing the ambition of affordable home ownership within the reach of even more people.

“Home Stepper is already available to over 1,000 people nationwide, and we’re delighted to be partnering with Tilia Homes to deliver even more attractive and high-quality Shared Ownership homes.”

Sage Homes, England’s largest provider of newly-built affordable housing, launched Home Stepper earlier this summer with approximately 800 new, high-quality homes nationwide through a partnership with Vistry Group.

Sage Homes Home Stepper allows housebuilders to convert a wider range of open market houses and apartments into affordable Shared Ownership if their purchasers can’t afford the asking price. This means buyers on lower incomes and with smaller deposits can afford homes previously beyond their reach. A Shared Ownership home is typically cheaper than renting privately and considerably cheaper than the cost of buying a home on the open market.