Shared Ownership Overhaul Could Double Supply of Homes

A national report has called on the housing sector, government and funders to unite to double the supply of shared ownership homes to 30,000 and help address the UK’s growing affordability crisis. The Shared Ownership 2.0 report, launched today by Orbit Group and the CIH, sets out the potential to expand shared ownership so it becomes a fourth mainstream tenure, alongside home ownership and social and private renting. The report sets out the key issues that government, housing providers, lenders and regulators will need to address to increase shared ownership from its current 15,000 homes per year to at least 30,000 within the next Parliament – around 13 per cent of the 240,000 new homes England needs each year. Download a summary report from the Orbit website.

Social Landlord Appointed As Help to Buy Agent

Social landlord Orbit Group has been awarded contracts to deliver the government's help to buy scheme in the West and East Midlands. The contracts, which were awarded by the Homes and Communities Agency, are for two years, with an option to extend. This contract win means Orbit, which provides more than 38,000 homes across England, continues to be one of the largest help to buy agents in the country. The social landlord has been delivering HomeBuy and help to buy contracts for the last five years. Read more on 24dash.

Tenants without Access to Internet 'Don’t Care'

A significant number of social housing tenants have no interest in accessing the internet, according to new research into digital inclusion.  Orbit Group surveyed 1,782 tenants to find out how they use the internet and potential barriers to access.  The report shows 67 per cent of tenants and 88 per cent of leaseholders have internet access. But just one in 10 of those tenants without access is interested in getting online. The universal credit benefits system, being rolled out from October, has a ‘digital by default’ emphasis, meaning most claimants will apply online. The research acknowledges the growing importance for landlords to ensure tenants are able to use this system as failure to do so will have ‘direct financial implications’ for providers. Read more on the Orbit Group website.