Applications for Co-ownership Housing in Northern Ireland has risen by 7% in the past financial year, according to the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA).

Throughout the organisation's almost 40-year history, it has successfully supported over 26,000 households to purchase the home of their choice and has funding in place to support a further 900 prospective home-owners in Northern Ireland get on the property ladder by March 2018.

Over 8,000 homes across Northern Ireland are currently Co-Ownership homes.

Mark Graham, Chief Executive at Co-Ownership Housing, said: "It is our goal to support as many people as we can to get on to the property ladder in Northern Ireland. Throughout our Shared Ownership Month in September we will be hosting a series of drop-in sessions across Northern Ireland in Derry-Londonderry, Dungannon and Belfast to support and advise on the range of products available to get on the path to becoming a homeowner, including our latest Rent to Own product.

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"We know that struggling to raise deposits and lower incomes in Northern Ireland is fuelling demand for Co-Ownership. Buying through Co-Ownership is cheaper than renting, and more affordable than placing a significant deposit on a property. Additionally, customers can buy Co-Ownership out at any time through the 'staircasing' process which we actively encourage.

"Gradually increasing a purchaser’s share in their chosen property through staircasing not only guides that individual toward complete ownership of their home in an affordable way, but long-term this helps us to support more people make that first step toward home-ownership."

(CD)