SO Living mark a milestone with 300 shared ownership sales
The sales team at Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) are celebrating a sales achievement after handing over their 300th set of keys to their latest shared ownership customer.
SO Living sell PCH’s shared ownership homes across our developments, enabling customers to purchase a share of their home and pay rent on the remaining share.
Shared ownership is more affordable than buying on the open market as shared owners will only need a deposit for the share they’re purchasing. They can also purchase more shares and “staircase” to 100% home ownership.
The first shared ownership home was sold in the summer of 2012 at the first phase of re-development in North Prospect when the team consisted of only three members.
SO Living has since grown to eight members to support PCH’s expanding development programme across Plymouth and the surrounding areas in Devon and Cornwall, helping many first-time buyers, families and downsizers get their foot on the property ladder.
The 300th home was recently sold in Sherford to where a selection of 2-bedroom apartments were available for purchase.
Tracey White, Sales and Marketing Manager at PCH, said: “Reaching 300 shared ownership home sales for PCH, through the SO Living sales brand, is an amazing milestone. Since 2012, we have provided much needed affordable homes to the residents of Plymouth and the surrounding areas in Devon and Cornwall.
“The demand for shared ownership homes remains strong as an affordable and achievable route for many customers, helping make their dream of home ownership a reality.
“PCH cares about its residents and communities and SO Living is a recognisable brand that our customers trust. This achievement would not have been possible without the sales team which has grown over the years, providing excellent care and support to our customers.”
More shared ownership homes will be available soon in Woolwell, Callington, Pensilva and Saltash. Visit the SO Living website for more information.
Appley ever after
Always apples gets to the core of the community
A fruity initiative which is partly funded by PCH has announced it has big plans for 2022, as the team look back on a fun-filled 12 months.
All Ways Apples was the creation of the Food Plymouth team, who have worked extremely hard to ensure that their neighbourhood events went ahead, regardless of the challenges posed by the coronavirus restrictions.
Building on the success of the ‘On Tour’ micro events in 2020, the group visited even more communities this year. Activities included tree care, harvesting, juicing and pasteurising.
Much of the freshly pressed apple juice was enjoyed at the events, directly from the apple press.
Fruit was harvested from all across the city and shared widely. The group worked with orchard volunteers, encouraging new people to get involved.
The team hope that in 2022 they will be able to return to Devonport for the main event, All Ways Apples Festival, while continuing to build community capacity through the group’s ‘On Tour’ activities.
One of the organisers, Tess Wilmot said: “For the last two years we have been unable to do the big All Ways Apples Festival at Devonport Guildhall due to Covid.
“So we took All Ways Apples on tour to visit as many community orchards as we could and share the abundance!
“We love it when residents get involved with the pressing and show us their community growing spaces.”
Between September 2020 and December 2021, the All Ways Apples team took part in 24 community apple events which included harvesting apples grown across the city and creating over 600 bottles of juice to be enjoyed by participants. Extra bottles were donated to community groups and food banks.
If you would like to get involved or attend a future event, please email: digfordevonport@hotmail.co.uk – or call: 07531 506481
Our services at a glance
Service as normal Services with some changes Services paused
All repairs, safety checks and maintenance works
Flytipping removal and clearances
Outdoor environmental services
Stairwell cleaning
Laundries remain open
Outdoor playgrounds remain open
The Beacon is open to the public
Community rooms are open
Any routine in person home visits can take place
Community activites with face coverings and reduced social contact
Housing, Leasehold and Income Officer visits
Beacon café is fully open
Allocations, lettings, mutual exchanges and sales continue
Resident-led events can go ahead with measures in place
Communal lounges in sheltered housing schemes are open with some restrictions in place