Link welcomes publication of first home fund

Link has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government’s ‘First Home Fund’ evaluation on 24 February 2021, which outlines the impact of the scheme in helping over 8,000 households into homeownership in Scotland.  

As the Scottish Government’s managing agent for all its shared equity schemes, Link is well placed to help more people into home ownership through the ‘First Home Fund’, ‘Help to Buy’ (Small Developers), and ‘Open Market Shared Equity’ (OMSE) schemes. 

Increasing the take up in OMSE, which has already achieved over 12,000 sales, is a key growth area in helping people into homeownership. Link recently launched a ready reckoner to help Independent Financial Advisers identify where their customers may benefit from the scheme. Importantly, this follows recent changes to the scheme criteria to increase the value and size of properties purchased under the scheme. 

Link recently increased its coverage throughout Scotland, being appointed managing agent for Help to Buy assisting people in purchasing newly constructed homes throughout Scotland, consolidating its role as the Scotland-wide administrator for the scheme. 

This adds to the thousands of shared equity customers that Link helps every year on behalf of the Scottish Government. Link also develops a range of affordable new homes for sale, including family housing and retirement living, through its New Supply Shared Equity scheme, which is also funded in part by the Scottish Government. Ownership opportunities currently in South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Dunbeg, Oban and Dalmarnock, Glasgow.  

Group Commercial Director Colin Culross said: “Thousands of customers have benefited from shared equity products administered by Link since 2005, and our after-sales service according to our customers is second to none.  

“I am delighted that we continually achieve excellent satisfaction rates thanks to the experience and commitment of Link staff.  

“Through the successful delivery of these schemes, Link has not only helped people throughout Scotland into homeownership but also directly increased employment and training opportunities, employing graduate trainees and apprentices to create benefits for the local community – importantly giving young people a chance to gain quality employment and training opportunities.  

“It has been a remarkable success for new owners, existing customers and the people we have supported in delivering a quality, customer-focused service.” 

In addition to supporting thousands of buyers into homeownership, the provision of shared equity schemes allows Link to create opportunities for graduate trainees. Corin Allison joined Link as a graduate trainee in 2020 and said: “Link has provided a great opportunity to kickstart my career. Working in the shared equity teams has allowed me to develop skills in teamwork and problem solving, and it’s a good feeling knowing we are helping people to buy their own home.” 

More information is available at www.linkhousing.org.uk/sharedequity.