Government will encourage buyers to rent instead

16 July 2008

Prospective home buyers have been given a boost after the government's housing minister revealed plans to help them find an affordable rental property while they put money aside for a deposit on their own place.

Caroline Flint has confirmed that millions of pounds have been earmarked to enable the government to purchase thousands of homes which are currently sitting unwanted on a quiet market.

These will then be rented out to households earning less than £60,000 a year for a short-term period, allowing them to save up for their own place.

"We are determined to continue to do everything possible to promote long-term stability and fairness in the housing market," Ms Flint explained.

"The international-credit crunch has created significant-challenges not just for the UK housing market, but in other parts of Europe and the United States."

Though the development is likely to be largely welcomed, it yet again highlights the difficulty thousands are facing in getting their own place, with many likely to make use of secure storage until they get their own place.

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