Monday 24 February 2014
For the first time in Guernsey, there is an opportunity to purchase a flat in an Extra Care Housing Scheme on a partial ownership basis.
The Housing Department and the Guernsey Housing Association are offering 10 flats for partial ownership purchase at the two new Extra Care Housing projects at Le Grand Courtil, St Martin's and La Nouvelle Maraitaine, Vale.
Normally partial ownership properties are sold on a part rent, part buy basis, to first-time buyers, but here the aim is to sell to people who require some care and support but are likely to own a property of their own which is no longer suitable for their needs.
Steve Williams, GHA's Chief Executive said:
"We are targeting people who would not be eligible to rent a flat in the new schemes due to their higher assets or income, but who have a care and support need that would otherwise require them to go into a residential home or be supported at home by community services.
There is now the option for at least 10 people to choose to sell their property and purchase part equity in a flat, where the care and support they need will be immediately at hand to suit their individual requirements and to maintain their independence.
Offering these flats for sale on a partial ownership basis should be attractive to people with care and support needs who want the security of owning their own property, but who are desirous of living in a community where there are activities and facilities that will promote their health and wellbeing.
All the partial ownership flats have 2 bedrooms, so couples can move in together, even if only one of them has care and support needs today.
The properties will also be competitively priced, ensuring that purchasers have sale proceeds left over to cover their living costs."
Partial owners will be able to purchase between 40% and 80% of the value of one of the flats, and will pay a rent on the non-owned portion. The higher the equity percentage purchased the lower the on-going rent.
There are also a limited number of flats available for rental, albeit these are already heavily oversubscribed.
Housing Department Chief Officer, Stephen Langford, added:
"To qualify to rent or buy an extra care housing flat you will need to be an adult aged 18 or over, who requires at least four hours care and support per week. Prospective applicants can find more information by going to the States' website www.gov.gg/extracare or can request an application form from the Housing Department by telephoning Rosie Creed on tel. no. 717187.
"For potential tenants, the closing date for applications is Friday 28 March. For potential partial owners, the closing date is two weeks earlier on 14 March 2014, as many of the purchasers are likely to need to sell their existing property before they can purchase a flat at one of the two schemes. The earlier closing date reflects the time required to do this."
Further Information
- Living in extra care housing enables individuals with care and support needs to remain independent, but with the reassurance of an on-site care and support team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- GHA is responsible for the construction and ongoing housing management of the two schemes; the Housing Department will be providing the care and support service.
- There are 10 flats for partial ownership purchase when the flats in Phase 1 of the two schemes become available for occupation later this year. If Phase 2 of each project is approved by the States at the end of March then we will be able to provide an additional 7 flats for part purchase in a couple of years' time.
