Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the rents to mortgages schemes for public sector workers living in London; and if he will make a statement. [34442]
§ Ms Keeble"Rent to Mortgage" is one of a number of Government low-cost home ownership schemes available to a range of people, including public sector workers.
"Rent to Mortgage" allows qualifying tenants to purchase a share of their home, at a discount, with mortgage payments similar to the rent they are currently paying. The landlord retains a share in the property, but the purchaser can pay this off at a later date. Further information is contained in our free booklet "Your right to buy your home", which is available from local authorities or from my Department.
Our Starter Home initiative is helping around 4,600 key public sector workers, such as teachers, health workers and police, into home ownership in London. Most of these schemes involve equity loans or shared ownership.
27WKey workers can also benefit from the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. This provides homes for rent, and for low cost home ownership through schemes such as Homebuy and shared ownership, and through Do-It-Yourself shared ownership schemes which are supported by some local authorities.