People who would have struggled to get on the housing ladder were offered a whopping £10,000 discount on new homes if they contributed 500 hours to the build themselves
A new way of buying houses has been launched that sees prospective homeowners use “sweat equity” as a way to get on the housing ladder.
Guinea pigs of the new project were thrilled when the opportunity to have £10,000 knocked off the price of their home was offered to them, all for the price of 500 hours of manual labour and general admin.
The development saw 14 new homes built and 13 apartments converted from existing buildings on the site in Ince, Wigan, and those who took part in the project have praised the “community” that was built along the way as they helped construct their new properties.
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Chloe Radcliffe, 28, has finally moved into her new home after spending months contributing to finishing it off, with the help of her loved ones. Chloe, who owns a nearby beauty salon, bought a three-bedroom home and spent 14 months working on the project.
“My family and myself were brought up here and my two children attend St William’s Catholic Primary School,” which is located close to the site, she explained.
“I have a small business across the road from the development and I’ve been desperate to get onto the property ladder to provide security for my children.
“It’s just not been possible to save for a deposit but the sweat equity model has given me the chance as a single parent to realise my dream.
“Me, my mum, dad and sister loved working on my home and building a great little community with other people who did the same who are now my neighbours.
“It was bizarre to see each other in working boots and high vis vests, all with spades digging but it was enjoyable and fun.
“Looking back at the pictures now, I think ‘did we actually do that’. But being able to do this scheme and getting £10,000 off my mortgage by doing 500 hours has helped me out massively to own my house, I’m proud of where it has got me.
“Knowing that you have actually worked on your house and then looking and thinking ‘it’s mine’ – I can’t explain how good it feels.”
Chloe found herself doing ground works, painting, labouring, and landscaping during her 500 hours. Those using their ‘sweat equity’ could also offer their time to do marketing, admin, and IT support.
The houses cost those taking part between £190,000 and £197,500, and the apartments were priced at £125,000 to £200,000, depending on factors like their size, and 13 families took part in the building process of the 27 properties.
Residents could purchase 10-75 percent stakes in their property, paying rent to housing association Prima Group, which delivered the scheme alongside a charity called Housing People Building Communities (HPBC).
Another resident, Racheal McCoy, 35, who works in Chloe’s beauty salon and as a nurse, said about her experience, “I’ve lived in Ince all my life and my family are all local.
“We wanted to stay in the area because my daughter goes to school here, but we needed a three-bedroom home.
“Getting on the property ladder right now is really difficult, and the mortgage payments would have crippled us.
“This scheme came along at the perfect time. The sweat equity model meant we could secure a safe home by working for it rather than needing to save for a deposit. Being involved in building my own home was amazing.
“It felt like we were building a community before we even got the keys.”
Chief Executive of Prima Group, John Ghader, said: “The sweat equity model is a great example of innovative thinking having a direct positive impact on local people who would otherwise have struggled to afford a deposit to get on the property ladder.
“It is also an alternative to the Bank of Mum and Dad. Instead of putting their hands in their pocket to help with a deposit – something not every parent can afford – some have got their hands on a shovel and contributed to their offspring’s on-site sweat equity hours.
“By working side-by-side with their future neighbours, home-partners have built strong relationships with each other to create a sense of belonging which fosters a community spirit from the start.”