The government has provided important clarity on eligibility rules for the Home Ownership for People with Long-term Disabilities (HOLD) scheme, a specialised shared ownership programme supporting Universal Credit claimants and others with long-term disabilities to own homes suited to their needs.
HOLD enables individuals aged 18 and over who have physical, learning, cognitive, sensory impairments or enduring mental health conditions such as autism to part-own a property along with a housing association. The housing association purchases the property with grant funding from Homes England to reduce rental costs, then sells a share-between 10% and 75% of the full market value-to the individual who secures a mortgage for their portion.
The individual pays rent on the housing association’s share and a service charge covering maintenance, both of which housing benefit may cover. When the homeowner moves on or dies, the property is sold, and Homes England’s grant funding is repaid and recycled into new properties.
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This week’s clarification followed a parliamentary query regarding guidance for disabled individuals without capital receiving Universal Credit who seek to join the HOLD scheme. Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, confirmed that comprehensive guidance is available on gov.uk, including eligibility criteria, how to find landlords offering HOLD, and information on support for mortgage interest payments.
Applicants are encouraged to consult their chosen landlord and seek independent financial advice, as mortgage lending decisions remain at lenders’ discretion.
Emeritus Professor Luke Clements of Leeds University has studied the scheme in depth, highlighting challenges such as lengthy court procedures for some participants and property restrictions imposed by housing associations. He emphasises that upfront costs such as deposits, legal fees, and advisory expenses may be significant, and while some public funding exists, family or friends might provide repayable loans secured against the property to assist.
Eligibility requires meeting specific conditions related to disability status and financial circumstances, including being a first-time buyer, returning to homeownership, forming a new household, or existing shared owners seeking to move.
Further details and application guidance are accessible on the official government website and via the Local Government Association.