As house prices continue to rise, a Stoke-based housing provider has stepped in to ensure that local people can get on the housing ladder.

Staffs Housing provides over 3,000 homes to local residents across Stoke-on-Trent and beyond through affordable rent.

According to the Office of National Statistics, house prices in the UK are now 58 times higher than in 1971 and homeowners aged 25-34 are said to have dropped by nearly half in the last three decades.

Staffs Housing help those looking to buy their own home, with affordable options to help them get on the housing ladder.

This was the case for customer Jamie, a first-time buyer, who bought a home for himself and girlfriend Lauren. 

Staffs Housing is part of Honeycomb Group (Staffs Housing).

Jamie said: "I was looking to buy a home for me and my girlfriend to live in, but a traditional mortgage meant we couldn't afford to live in a new build home

"We loved the estate and when we discovered Staffs Housing were offering homes with shared ownership, we jumped at the chance.

"Moving was so smooth, and they helped us through the whole process. The house was brand new and ready for us to move in to. 

"Shared ownership meant we could get more house for our money. If I'd taken out a traditional mortgage, we wouldn't have been able to live in a house as nice as this. 

"Eventually we'll buy more shares and own it outright. It's been a great way to help us get on the property ladder."  

In the last five years Staffs Housing have worked on developments in Stoke-on-Trent, Crewe and Sandbach, providing 57 homes to local people.

It's a part rent, part buy scheme where residents purchase a share of a home and pay rent on the rest. It means they need a smaller deposit and mortgage than if bought outright and often works out cheaper than private renting. 

For some it's the steppingstone needed to get on the property ladder, and they later go on to buy more shares until they own 100%. 

Find out more about shared ownership by visiting the Staffs Housing website.

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