WITH home ownership at its lowest level since 1988, there is a need for alternative ways of stepping on to the property ladder.

Chester-based Muir Group Housing Association shared ownership schemes have helped more than 400 people who could not afford to buy a home on the open market.

Muir Group is an established provider of new build shared ownership properties, with its headquarters based in Chester.

The importance of these schemes was highlighted during Shared Ownership Week.

One of Muir Group’s newest shared ownership developments is at The Cedars in Mickle Trafford, where Nici Davis has found her family home after living in temporary Army accommodation in Cheshire.

“When we realised we had to leave the Army accommodation, we knew we would have to rent or get shared ownership,” said Nici, whose husband Dell is in the Army.

“We would have had to pay a lot more in rent to get anywhere half as good as the house we are now in and it would probably have been in a less desirable location.”

Nici and son Tyler, three, moved into the three-bed semi-detached home before Dell viewed the property as he was serving overseas.

The family have now been joined by baby daughter Ruby and Nici believes she and Dell have found the perfect place to bring up their children.

“As each family has moved into the development, everyone has got on really well and most of us are young families with children which is lovely,” said Nici.

“It’s a gated street so it’s very secure and my son plays outside with the neighbours’ children, we might not have been able to do that somewhere else but it feels so safe here.”

Muir Group Housing Association has set up a dedicated website, www.yourownspace.org.uk, and Twitter account, @yourownspace, with information about its shared ownership properties.

“Affordable housing is more important than ever before in the current climate and we are committed to providing quality homes with strong communities that people can be proud to live in,” said David Robinson, Director of Development at Muir Group.

He added: “Shared ownership is a fantastic option for people who cannot afford to buy their own home but who want to have a stake in their property.”