Co-Ownership helped 107 Belfast households into home ownership last year

Co-Ownership helped 107 individuals, couples and families across Belfast become homeowners during 2025/26, according to the organisation’s latest annual performance figures.

Across Northern Ireland, the shared ownership provider supported 961 households into affordable home ownership during the year – an increase of eight per cent compared with the previous year.

Co-Ownership said the activity represented a £161 million boost to the local housing market.

Hundreds move to full home ownership

Alongside those becoming new Co-Ownership customers, 770 existing customers bought out the organisation’s remaining share in their properties during the year, meaning they no longer required its support to own their homes.

Co-Ownership Chief Executive Mark Graham said around nine per cent of first-time buyer transactions in Northern Ireland are supported by the organisation each year.

He added that 45 per cent of its customers come directly from the private rented sector.

Mr Graham said: “While affordability pressures remain, Co-Ownership continues to provide an accessible route to home ownership.

“Every customer we can help represents someone who may not have been able to buy a home otherwise, and our customers tell us that their health and wellbeing has improved because of home ownership.”

How Co-Ownership works

Co-Ownership has helped more than 35,000 households into home ownership across Northern Ireland since it was established in 1978.

Under the shared ownership model, eligible customers purchase a share of a property, typically between 50 and 90 per cent, using a mortgage.

Co-Ownership retains the remaining share and the customer pays rent on that portion of the property.

Depending on affordability, customers can currently choose an existing property valued at up to £215,000 or a new-build property valued at up to £230,000.

The organisation says the arrangement can reduce both the deposit required to purchase a property and monthly housing costs.

More affordable homes in new developments

The Department for Communities provided £153 million of funding in 2025 to help Co-Ownership support 4,000 buyers over four years.

Co-Ownership said changes to the planning system are also increasing the role of affordable housing within new developments.

Mr Graham said: “In a competitive housing market, it can be hard for first time buyers to find a home.

“However, the good news is, thanks to changes in the planning system, many new housing developments now include homes that are set aside as affordable and are only available to buy through Co-Ownership.”

He said the new £230,000 property value limit for new-build homes would give eligible customers access to a wider range of properties.

More than 100 new-build homes were accessed by Co-Ownership customers during the past year.

Rodney Agnew, of Antrim Construction Company, said local development plans would remain important in increasing the supply of affordable homes across Northern Ireland.

He said: “We look forward to continuing our work with Co-Ownership in Belfast and beyond to maximise development opportunities for as many people as possible.”

Co-Ownership said the wider adoption of the approach could help create mixed-tenure communities, increase housing choice and support Northern Ireland’s wider housing objectives.

External link: Co-Ownership

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