BRITS will be encouraged to build their own homes under a new scheme designed to support smaller builders after the pandemic.
Ministers want to see a nation of would be builders just like the hit show Grand Designs fronted by Kevin McCloud.
Rather than building lavish mansions, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick hopes people will be able to build everyday homes using a ‘help to build’ £150 million fund to help reduce the price of a self-build mortgage.
The scheme will provide an equity loan on the completed home, similar to the Help to Buy scheme.
Writing in HOAR Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “I also want this to be seen as a mainstream option for people to choose to get on the housing ladder or when moving home, not just for the rich.
“You don’t have to be building a ‘Grand Design’ to build your own home.
“The scheme will help people build new homes that are made-to-order.
“These types of builds allow people to customise the home they want based on existing designs – rather than starting completely from scratch.
“These homes can be designed for a family’s specific needs such as more office space, or more room for disabled or older relatives.”
Boris Johnson has also launched a review on how more people can build their own homes.
Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO, National Custom and Self Build Association said: “The Help to Build scheme is an important step towards greater customer choice for those with ambition, sound plans and smaller deposits.
“Custom and self build is about the homeowner having control over the design and specification of their project – enabling them to create the home they want, rather than the one someone else believes they would like.
“This scheme is all about delivering more and better homes, that more people aspire to live in and that communities are happier to see built.”
Earlier this month the Government also launched a new 95% mortgage guarantee scheme to help more people than ever on to the housing ladder.
Lloyds, Santander, Barclays, HSBC and Natwest are launching mortgages under the scheme with Virgin Money following next month.
