HOLD

Home Ownership for people with Long-term Disabilities (HOLD): Q&A

What is HOLD?

Home Ownership for People with Long-term Disabilities (HOLD) is not a separate housing product but a route into shared ownership. You should apply for affordable home ownership assistance in the standard way by filling out our application form.

All applicants must meet the Homes and Communities Agency's general eligibility criteria (that is, you should be a first time buyer (or be defined as being in housing need) with a household income of less than £60,000 per year).

What kinds of properties are available?

Consumers applying for government-funded affordable home ownership assistance have access to a range of new build properties, all available properties are listed on our website. If a property that meets your needs is available through a Registered Provider's New Build HomeBuy (NBHB) stock, you will be expected to accept the offered property and no further options will be explored.

What happens if existing NBHB properties are not suitable for my needs?

If there are no NBHB properties available in your particular area or an area of close proximity, or the existing NBHB properties are not suitable, purchase of a property on the open market may be considered. In these cases we will refer you to another Housing Association who may be able to assist you.

If you are wishing to purchase through HOLD via the open market we will also require a letter of support from your Local Authority, stating that you have a specific disability that means the standard new build properties are unsuitable, or that you need to reside in a particular area where no suitable NBHB properties are available.

Important additional information

HOLD is a voluntary scheme. The provision of HOLD funding is dependent on a specialist Registered Provider offering HOLD assistance within a particular area, and that provider having an existing HOLD allocation.

You will need to be able to sustain the cost of home ownership. You are required to either have a lump sum sufficient to cover the initial purchase without the need for a mortgage, or an on-going source of income sufficient to secure mortgage finance.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO LENDERS PROVIDING INTEREST ONLY MORTGAGES FOR APPLICANTS INTENDING TO COVER THEIR MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS SOLELY THROUGH THE SUPPORT FOR MORTGAGE INTEREST (SMI) BENEFIT.

We therefore strongly advise all applicants to get independent financial advice on what assistance may be available to them, and their ability to afford shared ownership.

To find out more please call Plumlife on 0161 447 5050

Download the HOLD Leaflet and HOLD Information Sheet here.