HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 cc191-2W
Ms Dari Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has any plans to continue the Do-It-Yourself shared ownership scheme. [59553]

Ms Armstrong

I announced plans on 30 July 1998,Official Report, column 417, to replace Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership (DIYSO) and the Tenants Incentive Scheme (TIS) with Homebuy. The Housing Corporation has since been consulting on proposals for the new scheme.

I have received representations that some potential DIYSO purchasers will be unable to afford Homebuy in certain areas. To reflect these concerns I have decided that local authorities should continue to have the option to offer DIYSO through the Local Authority Social Housing Grant mechanism, initially for a further two years, after which I will review the position.

I believe that there is a strong case for rationalising the home ownership schemes funded through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP). Local priorities are likely to result in a higher proportion of the ADP being allocated to rental schemes. With a smaller home ownership programme it makes sense to concentrate resources on a smaller range of schemes which will be simpler for tenants to understand and for landlords to administer.

The Housing Corporation's conventional shared ownership scheme will continue to be available in its present form. This provides opportunities for low cost home ownership and encourages the development of housing schemes with a mix of tenures.

We remain fully committed to promoting sustainable home ownership. I am confident that the schemes provided through the Housing Corporation will continue to make an effective contribution to this objective.

Forward to