A Labour council has revealed that it’s bought 15 open market homes, beefed up their energy efficiency and will use them for a shared ownership scheme.
The properties originally had Energy Performance Certificate ratings D or below and, using funding from the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, York council installed energy efficiency measures which has brought them up to EPC C or above.
Eco measures included photovoltaic solar panels to generate free electricity, new boilers and/or radiators, hybrid heat pumps, double glazing, and underfloor or external wall insulation.
These improved homes include four, three and two-bedroomed houses and two-bedroomed bungalows.
The properties are for shared ownership with prospective occupiers buying 25 to 75 per cent.
To be eligible, applicants must have a combined household income of less that £80,000 per year, be first time buyers or former home owners or military or ex-military personnel, be unable to afford to purchase a suitable home at market value, and not own a share of, or own any other property.
The applicants must have a minimum five per cent deposit and be able to cover the cost of buying a property, and have secured a mortgage offer.
A York council spokesperson says: “The average house price in York is 10.9 times more than the average wage, making it very difficult for people who are essential to the city, to afford to buy here.
“I’m particularly glad that we’ve invited eligible key workers to bid for these shared ownership homes.
“These homes not only make getting on the property ladder more of a reality, they can be heated more efficiently and with will less carbon emissions now and for generations of occupants to come.”
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