Westmorland and Furness Council will drop a First Homes policy adopted by the former Eden District that aimed to provide at least a 30% discount on a designated first home and also restricted to first-time buyers and the local connection criteria for First Homes that applies for a maximum of 3 months from when a home is first marketed.
If a suitable buyer has not reserved a home after 3 months, the eligibility criteria (including income caps) will revert to the national criteria, which means that first-time buyers nationwide are eligible to purchase a First Home in Westmorland and Furness.
Two key objectives set out in the council’s housing strategy are “growing the supply of affordable and available housing” and “[enhancing] our understanding of our customers and communities, and provide services that reflect the needs of, and are accessible to all.”
A report put before the councils cabinet on Tuesday morning at a meeting in Kendal said that dedicated first homes on major developments do not fulfil their housing objectives, “especially considering the rapidly ageing population of Westmorland and Furness.”
Councillor for Greystoke and Ullswater ward and Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety Judith Derbyshire said in a Council Cabinet meeting today (15th July) that the First Home scheme “undermines our goal for local housing needs” and is “narrowly targeted”. Councillor Derbyshire was part of the former Eden Council administration and portfolio holder for housing that implemented the First Homes scheme at Eden District Council in 2021.
She highlighted that the scheme excluded those relocating to the area, a notable section of home buyers.
The council will instead use a Discounted Sale scheme that is open to all eligible to discounts regardless of if they are first time buyers or not.
Councillor Derbyshire called it a “more flexible and inclusive scheme” that applies to everyone “whether they are first time home buyers or not”.
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