Veterans and families:
your guide to getting help with buying a home in Northern Ireland
Owning a home is a huge milestone. For many veterans, it’s a powerful step toward long‑term stability after leaving the armed forces. If you’re looking at buying a home in Northern Ireland but worried about affordability, the key programmes to know about are the Co-Ownership, FairShare and Forces Help to Buy schemes.
Here’s a guide on how they work and who can apply, along with additional support options for veterans.
Time to read:
Co-Ownership:
Buy a share of your home
Co-Ownership is the most widely used affordable homeownership scheme in Northern Ireland. It allows you to buy a portion of a property and pay rent on the rest.
This makes it much easier to get on the property ladder with a smaller deposit and mortgage.
How it works
You buy:
- typically 50% to 90% of the property
The scheme provides:
- the remaining share of the purchase price
You then:
- take out a mortgage for your share
- pay rent on the Co-Ownership share
Over time, you can increase your share (known as “staircasing”) until you own 100%.
What kind of homes can you buy?
Existing homes on the open market.
New-build homes.
Properties within the scheme’s price limits.
The home must be your only or main residence.
Costs to expect
A deposit (often as low as 5% of your share).
Monthly mortgage payments.
Monthly rent on the remaining share.
Maintenance and household bills.
This structure makes Co-Ownership one of the most flexible options for buying a home in Northern Ireland.
Who is eligible?
You must:
- be over 18
- be unable to afford to buy a suitable home outright
- be able to sustain mortgage and rent payments
Support for veterans
While Co-Ownership is open to everyone who meets the criteria, veterans may benefit from:
- flexible mortgage assessments that consider military income
- support from advisers familiar with armed forces circumstances
- access to additional housing guidance through local organisations
FairShare:
Full ownership with a smaller mortgage
FairShare is a newer scheme that helps buyers purchase a home outright, but with financial support to reduce the size of the mortgage needed.
How it works
You buy:
- 100% of the home
The scheme provides:
- a contribution (often around 20%) toward the purchase price
You then:
- take out a mortgage for the remaining amount
Unlike Co-Ownership:
- you own the home outright from day one
- there is no rent to pay
The contribution is typically repaid when you sell the property, based on a percentage of its value.
What kind of homes can you buy?
New-build homes from participating developers.
Properties within scheme price caps.
Who is eligible?
You must:
- be a first-time buyer (in most cases)
- meet affordability checks
- intend to live in the property
Why it may suit veterans
FairShare can be a strong option if you:
- want full ownership straight away
- can afford a mortgage but need help reducing its size
- prefer a new-build home
This makes it one of the most veteran-friendly homeownership routes in the UK.
Still serving? Consider Forces Help to Buy for interest‑free support
If you’re still in service, Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) can make buying a home much more achievable.
What is Forces Help to Buy?
The scheme allows eligible service personnel to borrow:
- up to 50% of their annual salary
- up to a maximum of £25,000
- interest‑free
The loan can be used towards:
- a deposit
- solicitor’s fees
- estate agent fees
- other purchase costs
From 1 January 2023, Forces Help to Buy became an enduring policy, meaning it’s available now and in the future.
Who can use the scheme?
You may be eligible if you:
- are regular service personnel
- have completed the required length of service
- have more than 6 months left to serve
- meet medical requirements
- are not a reservist or part of the Military Provost Guard Service
There may be exceptions in cases involving medical or personal circumstances.
How to apply
Applications are made through JPA self‑service, using the Forces Help to Buy application process. Full guidance is available in the JPA user guide.
Find out more:
Which scheme is right for you?
Both schemes offer realistic ways to get onto the property ladder when buying a home in Northern Ireland.
Choose Co-Ownership if you want:
- lower upfront costs
- a smaller deposit and mortgage
- full ownership with government support
Choose FairShare if you want:
- full ownership from the start
- help reducing your mortgage size
- a new-build property
Consider Forces Help to Buy if you’re still serving and want:
- an interest‑free boost to your deposit
- help covering buying costs
- support while balancing a mobile service career
Veterans deserve a fair start in homeownership
Leaving the armed forces comes with big changes, and finding a stable place to call home is one of the most important. The good news is that there are practical, flexible routes to buying a home in Northern Ireland, even if affordability feels like a challenge.
With schemes like Co-Ownership, FairShare and Forces Help to Buy, plus additional support tailored to the armed forces community, there’s a clear path to homeownership, and the support is there to help you take it.