HBF this morning attended the First Time Buyers summit held by Housing Minister Grant Shapps. At the meeting participants discussed a number of significant issues including the need for a rapid resolution to the Mortgage Market Review being undertaken by the FSA; the important role Government can play in brokering a Mortgage Indemnity Insurance schemes; the potential of further shared equity products; and the use of the assets of public agencies to unlock capital. Speaking after the meeting, HBF Executive chairman Stewart Baseley said; “Today’s meeting was productive and positive. Solving the problem of FTB access to mortgages is absolutely critical to solving the housing crisis in this country. We know there is a huge pent up demand that is not being met because of the large deposits currently being required by lenders and this is having a knock-on effect on housing supply currently running at record low levels. House builders have already introduced a range of initiatives to assist buyers bridge the deposit gap, but clearly the scale of the issue demands more is done and this mornings Summit was a welcome step forward.” For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Turner on 020 7960 1606 / 07919 307 760 or steve.turner@hbf.co.uk Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/homebuildersfed Notes to Editors: 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the representative body of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk
