This is incorrect. At Affinity Sutton we pride ourselves in being able to offer shared ownership (part buy/part rent) properties to low-middle income working households. Over the past few years 57 per cent of our shared owners outside London buying a property from us have earned less than £25,000 and 29 per cent of buyers in London. All applicants are rigorously assessed to check they can afford the home, now and in the future. Our low level of arrears and repossessions suggest we get this right.

The report and subsequent media coverage also suggested that purchasers need deposits of £40,000 to £50,000 to get on the property ladder. But with shared ownership, purchasers only need to find a deposit for the share they buy, which reduces the amount they need to find. In addition, many housing associations, including Affinity Sutton, have agreed with high street lenders that purchasers only need a 5 per cent deposit. This means for an average home they will need a deposit of £4,000 plus £4,000 purchasing costs.

As housing has become more expensive, shared ownership has developed a critical role in the overall housing market. Government has actively promoted shared ownership to key workers and first time buyers who struggle to access the open market, seeing it as supporting aspiration, helping to build wealth, creating more mixed income communities, and overcoming the barrier of accessing the housing market - as well as reducing social housing waiting lists and freeing up social homes.

Yvette Ruggins, sales director, Affinity Sutton

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