Evaluation of the homebuy scheme in England

In April 1999 "Homebuy" was added to the range of low cost home ownership programmes designed to help low income households in England - particularly social housing tenants - into owner occupation.

This study evaluates the success of the English Homebuy programme and: compares its operation to that of other low cost home ownership programmes; reports on its overall strengths and weaknesses - how well it meets its policy objectives, its affordability to purchasers and its value for money to taxpayers; assesses why people who can afford it do take up Homebuy, and the impact of their departure on the communities that they leave behind; and suggests changes that would allow the programme to reach lower income households.The author concludes that the Homebuy programme has started strongly but now requires some change to its objectives and its design - without which it cannot be considered a substitute for other forms of low cost home ownership.