A key worker living in Liverpool has found that a government-backed shared equity scheme was just what he needed to find an affordable home for himself and his partner.

John Brannan was renting a property in Woolton Village and, with the current difficulties in the mortgage market, thought home ownership was a distant dream.

However, he then discovered Miller Homes' Bridgewater Park development in Netherley, where three-bedroom homes are currently being offered under the HomeBuy Direct shared equity scheme.

The scheme allows key workers, like healthcare professional John, to purchase a participating property for just 70 per cent of the asking price, with the remainder funded by an equity loan.

"The house is brilliant and really well designed. The third bedroom is already my office and the master bedroom now has some nice large wardrobes to take all our clothes with space to spare," commented John.

Teachers, nurses, police officers and social workers and others in a local authority role may also qualify for the shared equity scheme.

Source: Direct News 29/07/09