THIS promises to be one of the best Christmases ever for a couple buying a house through the shared ownership scheme run by Wooburn Green-based Paradigm Housing Association.

After living with parents for a year while they saved for a deposit Natalie and her partner Jake will be welcoming Santa this year to their brand new three bedroom house in north Bucks.

Under the terms of the scheme, the couple have taken out a mortgage for a 50 per cent share of their home in Milton Keynes and are paying rent for the other 50 per cent still owned by the housing association.

As and when they can afford it, they can increase the share they own.

Not surprisingly the couple are over the moon.

Natalie says: “The small deposit was what appealed to us most about shared ownership. On our earnings a month we could afford a mortgage but not to buy outright.

“To save a larger deposit we would have had to live with Jake’s parents for at least another two years.

“We have a five year fixed rate loan and [when that comes to an end] we will re-assess whether we buy more shares in the house or sell up and move on.

“The house is in a great location. We’re only five minutes from the shops in Milton Keynes and ten minutes from our jobs and the town centre. The whole process with Paradigm went really smoothly.”

‘We’re settling in really well,” Jake agrees. “It still feels a bit surreal but this is our place. We are gradually making it feel like home.”

Turns out, their new home really is extra special in more ways than one.

It’s the 15,000th home provided by Paradigm for those who can’t afford sky high prices on the open market. The group is one of the leading providers of affordable housing in the south east.

The houses and flats built by the organisation have become homes to sell or rent at realistic prices to couples, families and singletons previously on the housing waiting list at one of 34 local authorities.

In Raans Road, Amersham four tatty looking garages have been replaced by two smart new one-bedroom flats. They’re now let to Paradigm tenants. Most dis-used garages owned by the association are used as sites for two bedroom houses.

To celebrate handing over the keys to the future owners of the group’s 15,000th home, executive director of strategy and business services Sarah Nickson presented Natalie and Jake with 15,000 pence worth of shopping vouchers, a bottle of bubbly and a bouquet.

Paradigm chief executive Matthew Bailes says the company has been changing lives for 30 years by providing decent homes at prices which don’t break the bank for those who live in them. He revealed: “Over the next three years we’re aiming to build a further 600 new homes a year to help tackle the national shortfall.”

*Pictured left to right are Magda Watts, Paradigm’s aftercare officer, Sandie Gordon, communications officer, proud homeowners Jake and Natalie and executive director Sarah Nickson.

“Like Jake and Natalie, many of our future residents live with parents to help them build up their savings for a deposit,” Sandie told the Bucks Free Press.

“It’s very much the modern way for youngsters to get on the housing ladder.”

More details about Paradigm’s shared ownership scheme in Milton Keynes and elsewhere are on their website or you can email the office on sales@paradigmliving.co.uk.