Charity questions home ownership schemes

Tuesday, 23 August 2005 12:00 AM

The government's plans to help first-time buyers get on the housing ladder have been called into question by new research into home ownership.

Most people are more concerned with living in a safe neighbourhood and being able to afford their housing costs than owning their own home, according to a report by Shelter.

Shelter's Ben Jackson said: "Our research looked at the bigger picture and found that people's first priority for themselves and their children is not home ownership - but having a safe, decent home they can afford."

He added: "If the government really wants to meet people's housing aspirations, it should focus public money on helping them to live in a decent, secure home in a neighbourhood where they feel safe, rather than encouraging them to chase the property dream."

At the general election, Labour pledged to create one million new homeowners through part-rent part buy schemes.

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