03 June 2024
The Government has today reopened a scheme to help Islanders buy their first home.
First Step, a scheme to help aspiring homeowners onto the property ladder, was launched
by the Minister for Housing, Deputy Sam Mézec, in February this year. A total of 125
applications were received in the first tranche, which resulted in 24 applicants being
offered equity loans to purchase one-, two- and three-bedroom properties.
This second tranche will prioritise Islanders who have been registered on the Assisted
Purchase Pathway for the longest, as well as those whose financial circumstances would
otherwise make it difficult for them to purchase a home without financial support.
Provision has also been made in this iteration of the scheme to ensure that as wide a range
of household needs in terms of property size are supported as possible.
First Step is delivered in partnership with Andium Homes and uses £10m of government
funding to help eligible Islanders access a contribution of up to 40% towards the purchase
of an open-market property.
Applicants must:
- hold Entitled status
- be registered on the Assisted Purchase Pathway
- be able to provide a 5% deposit towards the purchase
- be able to access the maximum lending available to them from one of the
scheme’s partnering mortgage lenders
- not be under offer on another assisted purchase scheme.
First Step is limited to genuine first-time buyers who do not own property in Jersey or
overseas.
Islanders registered on the Assisted Purchase Pathway are again invited to apply for the
First Step scheme. Islanders not already registered should apply to the Assisted Purchase
Pathway before applying for First Step.
There will be one further opportunity to apply for the scheme, in its third tranche in
September. This second round is open for four weeks until 30 June, at which point Andium
Homes will assess applications and notify successful applicants.
Applications will be means-tested against the financial criteria. It is anticipated that up to
60 households will benefit from the initial £10 million investment, which the Government
will consider extending should the scheme prove successful.
Access to First Step funding will be available to those who have a household income within
the Minister for Housing’s existing assisted purchase eligibility criteria.
The Minister for Housing, Deputy Sam Mézec, said: “I am very pleased to be launching the next
round of the First Step scheme. Supporting as many Islanders as possible into
homeownership is one of my key priorities to help resolve Jersey’s housing crisis. By
making homes more affordable through measures such as equity loans, we can help
Islanders buy their first home and inspire faith in our younger people that they can enjoy a
prosperous future in Jersey.
“The first round of First Step was received very positively, and I am delighted that we are
already supporting 24 buyers, with more to come. I am hugely grateful to everyone
involved who enabled the scheme to launch so successfully.”
Andium Homes’ Lead for Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Dominique Caunce, said: “We
were delighted with the interest shown in the first tranche of the scheme, where the
funding available enabled us to make loan offers to 24 first-time buyers. Feedback from
previous applicants has been really positive, particularly around the website and
application process, and we would encourage all those unsuccessful in the first tranche to
reapply.”
Islanders wishing to join the Assisted Purchase Pathway, or those wanting to update their
details, can do so via First Step (andiumhomes.je).
gov.je