THE Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) welcomed the announcement on January 5 by Communities Secretary Sajid Javid on funding for affordable housing, and the UK government’s commitment to widen the tenure choices for people who cannot afford to buy a home outright. Government support for shared ownership as one of the options is particularly welcome, following publication late last year of CML-commissioned research setting out a series of recommend ations to promote its development. Commenting on the announcement, CML director general Paul Smee said: ‘The announcement can deliver the tenure flexibility that providers of social housing have been calling for, and which will help address the housing affordability challenges faced by many people today. Our recent research reinforces the argument that shared ownership, for exampl e is the only means of buying for some would-be home-owners.
‘As ever, the CML stands ready to help develop schemes that lenders can support. In pushing forward with its plans, the government needs to strike the right balance between widening tenure options and introducing schemes that are workable for lenders and avoid unnecessary complexity. We look forward to seeing more details in the forthcoming housing white paper, and to working with the government in addressing the UK’s housing challenges.‚