Healthcare Workers’ New Homes Scheme Is Just What The Doctor Ordered
Affordable mortgage packages for healthcare workers looking for new homes in Scotland seem to be just what the doctor ordered. A special scheme set up by housebuilders, the health service and two credit unions has put together a deal that helps hospital workers with little or no deposit gain a foothold on the property ladder.
One of the first nurses due to switch to the under-construction South Glasgow Hospital has already moved in to one of four Cruden Homes West developments in Govan. Paediatric nurse Hannah Buist and her partner Graeme, bought their new home in Glasgow with help from Unique Property Solutions (UPS). The scheme sets up affordable mortgages and help with deposits as a joint venture between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Credit Union, Glasgow Credit Union and Cruden. Hannah, who currently works at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, has moved in to a one-bedroom flat at Cruden’s Gateway Building, Govan, ahead of relocating her job.
Ian Reid, director of human resources for Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS says: “A number of staff will relocate in the next couple of years when the new South Glasgow Hospital completes. We are already seeing staff want to move home in anticipation. We work hard to support staff if their work base changes and this unique new service is a superb opportunity for them to obtain funding to make their house move a reality. As well as Hannah, another five nurses have taken advantage of the scheme and have either moved in or are in the process of moving.”
The couple has home-hunted for around 18 months without success as they were struggling to find a mortgage. They had rented and even moved in with relatives to try to save a deposit until Graeme saw an advert for the Cruden Homes development.
Hannah says: “Despite having very little deposit, we were able to secure a 90% mortgage with Glasgow Credit Union and the balance from NHS Credit Union. We instantly fell in love with the one-bedroom apartment we’re over the moon to finally have our own place – it all happened so quickly. Our apartment is beautiful and what’s more, the funding package has made it affordable for us with a favourable interest rate.
“To top it all off, the apartment is situated across from the tube station which means I can easily get to work now. When I move to the new children’s hospital on the South Glasgow Hospital campus, I can walk to work every day.”