Affordable homes fit for hereos

Soldiers returning from Afghanistan are being offered homes fit for heroes.

Troops are marching to the front of the queue to buy affordable new homes under a Government funded shared ownership scheme.

Among those who have already benefitted is Private Adriece Williams, who has just moved into a stylish new home in Murdishaw, near Runcorn, Cheshire, with his partner Stephanie Collins and their four-month-old daughter Kyiah.

Adriece has just returned from a gruelling tour of Afghanistan but one of the biggest surprises he had out there was a call from his partner telling him she had found and reserved a two-bedroom home for them.

"We didn't think we would be in a position to buy for a long time," said Adriece. "When I got the call from Stephanie saying that not only had she been looking for a house but that she'd found a new one we could afford, I was amazed.

"It was a great feeling coming home from the war to move into such a lovely house and peaceful area."

The couple had been living at Stephanie's parents' house and, with a baby on the way, desperately wanted their own space.

The cost of buying seemed well beyond their means until their estate agent told them about shared ownership, and they went to view a property which had been developed by Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT).

They fell in love with the home and applied through HomesHub, which is part of the Plus Dane Group and the government's affordable housing agent for Merseyside and Cheshire.

Through shared ownership, the couple bought a 45% share in the property initially, meaning that they needed less of a deposit, and a lower mortgage. They will pay a reduced rent on the remaining share to LHT, until they decide to buy 100% of the home.

"I'm proud of us," added Stephanie, a local nursery assistant. "We've done well for ourselves, there's not many people our age who own their own home.  I'd certainly advise others to look at buying through HomesHub, there's no way we would have been able to buy a home without their help."

The couple are now enjoying some time together, getting to know their new baby. Although Adriece's job in Afghanistan is done he plans to stay in the Army and build a career there.

"It's a great life in the Army," he said, "especially the friendships you build with your mates, it's different to any other job and I love it - but it's great being home with the family, too."

LHT sales supervisor Louise Clifton said: "We have helped over 40 people to purchase their own home over the past year and it is particularly rewarding to be able to see how these homes provide a secure foundation for the future of families such as Adriece, Stephanie and Kyiah."

For more information on government help to buy your first home click here, or to search for properties click here

To check if you are eligible for government help to buy your first home, click here