Housing advice

Homelessness, housing advice and housing options

For more information call Erimus on 08000 461600.

Struggling to step onto the housing ladder?

Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing have a number of affordable housing options for those wishing to buy their first home.

For further information on affordable homeownership call Erimus on 01642 257820 or e-mail homeownershipteam@erimushousing.co.uk

The Government's HomeBuy Scheme

The HomeBuy scheme includes a number of affordable homeownership options aimed at first time buyers and those re-entering the housing market. Time2Buy is the Government's Local HomeBuy Agent in Tees Valley and County Durham and is the first point of contact for anyone who cannot afford to buy a home on the open market and wishes to access the scheme.

A brief introduction to each HomeBuy product is given below. For further information, to find out if you are eligible and to apply for the schemes visit www.time2buy.org.uk or contact the Time2Buy team on 0845 604 2942.

• FirstBuy
  Available at a wide range of sites across Tees Valley & County Durham, FirstBuy is an equity loan scheme which offers up to 20% assistance towards the purchase price of a new home.
• First Time Buyers Initiative (FTBI)
  FTBI is an equity loan scheme which offers up to 50% assistance towards the purchase price of a new home. This is available through Bioregional Quintain at Middlehaven in Middlesbrough.
• Shared Ownership
  Shared ownership offers the opportunity to buy a share of between 25% and 75% in a new home and pay rent on the part you don't own. Shared Ownership is available through Registered Providers at various sites across Tees Valley and County Durham.
• Rent to Buy
  The Rent to Buy scheme (also known as the Intermediate Market Rent scheme) offers the opportunity to rent a property for a certain period of time at a reduced rent. This allows you to put the money saved towards a deposit to purchase the property, either outright or a shared ownership basis, in the future. This is available through Registered Providers at a limited number of sites across Tees Valley and County Durham.
• Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme
  The Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme is designed specifically to provide assistance for qualifying service personnel to purchase a home on the open market. This is delivered by Swaythling Housing Society rather than the Local HomeBuy Agent and more information can be found at www.afhos.co.uk.

Shelter's Children Service

Can give free legal advice and support to families with any housing or homelessness issues such as mortgage repossession, rent arrears, domestic violence, re-housing and eviction. The only qualifying criteria is that the family live within the Tees Valley and have at least one child aged under six or have a family member who is pregnant. Referrals can be made via e-mail or telephone. 

The Staying Put Agency

Helps older and disabled people to remain in their homes. It can advise on repairs, improvements or adaptations and the availability of financial assistance, benefit entitlement, energy efficiency, home security and the support available to aid independent living. Contact the Staying Put Agency on 01642 729149, or 729159.