Approximately £8 million is set to be invested in a new shared ownership initiative for those aged over 55.

The Co-Ownership pilot will help recipients move to a more suitable home that better meets their needs.

Co-Ownership is the Department for Communities' main delivery partner for affordable shared ownership and already provides people with the opportunity to own their own home through its products Co-Own and Rent to Own.

Announcing the new pilot initiative, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "It is vitally important that we promote access to affordable, good quality housing that supports people's wellbeing in later life.

"I am therefore delighted to announce a funding allocation of £8 million to Co-Ownership to pilot a new affordable housing product, which will provide people with the opportunity to purchase homes which are more manageable and suitable as they age.

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"This new product will assist our ageing population to find accommodation suitable to their needs, enabling them to live as independently as possible for as long as possible, while at the same time, ensuring housing stock that is no longer suitable to the needs of an older person can be utilised by other families."

Mark Graham, Chief Executive of Co-Ownership, commented: "We're grateful to the Department for its support of our new product tailored specifically for people over 55.

"This new product bridges the gap between the value of someone's current home or savings and the cost of a new home. This option gives people the opportunity to move to a more suitable home, or indeed become a homeowner if they been unable to buy a home in the past.

"There are many reasons why people over 55 may want to move - to be nearer friends and family, lower energy bills or less maintenance.  As we get older, we can find that our home is no longer suitable for our needs or can't support mobility issues.

"By living in a comfortable and suitable home, we're supporting people to enjoy a more active and healthier lifestyle and helping remove the risk of their home environment becoming a worry or cause of anxiety to them."