Have you ever dreamed of owning your own home?
Shared ownership through the HOLD scheme can give you choice and control over where you live. Since 1997 Advance has helped more than 650 people to become Shared Owners. By using support from Homes England, we offer the HOLD Scheme (Home Ownership for People with Long term Disabilities). This is available for people with a Learning Disability, a Mental Health condition or a Physical Disability.
We were one of the first organisations in the UK to do this, and are now the acknowledged experts in the field. In September 2018 Advance won the 'Most Innovative Home Ownership Solution' Award at the National Housing Awards as well as being awarded 'Overall Winner.'
The judges commented: "A phenomenal programme and fully inclusive offer that is not delivered anywhere else at this scale or with this commitment to a wide range of customers who have a series of different living and financial vulnerabilities. There are a lot of stakeholders involved, with whom Advance have created excellent partnership arrangements. This is a truly wonderful programme and a very valuable service that empowers people with disabilities into home ownership."
Here's what a family member said about her experience of HOLD:
"This has changed Katie's life so much and changed mine too. I am so pleased and grateful to Advance for helping us. I feel I never have to worry again." Lala, Katie's Mother.
Click here to see a short video of Katie and Lala talking about their experience of buying a home through the HOLD shared ownership scheme.
How does it work?
For a brief introduction you can find our leaflet above. Also, the Local Government Association has produced a very good and accessible overview of the how the process works in its Factbook on `Home ownership for people with long-term disabilities (HOLD)'.
What to do next
Please note: You or the person you are applying on behalf of will need to fulfil certain criteria to be able to access the HOLD scheme including; you must be a minimum of 18 years old, be able to access a deposit/legal fees of around £20k and have a long-term disability.
If you think that HOLD could be right for you please fill in our online enquiry form. If you have questions please do email us, or call us now on 0333 012 4307.
Please note if you are planning ahead and your son or daughter is not yet 18, do still email or call us and we can have a chat about plans for the time that they will be eligible for this scheme.