Welsh households offered more help to buy and keep homes

BE beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-28 11:10 3 min read

More Welsh households will have access to housing support after the Welsh Government extended three schemes covering home purchases, mortgage difficulties and the renovation of empty properties.

The extensions run until 31 March 2027, at the end of the 2026/27 financial year. Help to Buy – Wales could assist up to 400 households buying a new-build home, while the Empty Homes Grant could support the renovation of up to 300 properties.

The three housing schemes extended across Wales

Help to Buy – Wales is intended to help people who face barriers to homeownership, particularly first-time buyers. The announcement says the scheme has helped buyers purchase new-build homes with a smaller deposit, but it does not set out individual income limits, property price limits or the full application process.

The scheme’s continued value was highlighted by Edwards Homes Ltd, which said 45% of its sales to date had been made through Help to Buy Wales. The company welcomed the extension as a way to continue supporting first-time buyers.

Mortgage support remains available for homeowners under pressure

Help to Stay – Wales will continue for homeowners who are struggling to meet their mortgage payments. The extension is part of the Welsh Government’s wider response to the cost-of-living crisis and follows a commitment in its 100 days plan to help families remain in their homes.

The announcement describes Help to Stay as a safety net, but does not provide details of the financial thresholds, assessment criteria or support available in individual cases. Homeowners who may need help should check the latest scheme guidance before applying.

Empty properties could return as family homes

The Empty Homes Grant will fund work on up to 300 empty or neglected properties. The stated aim is to bring those buildings back into use as safe, energy-efficient family homes.

That means the extension is aimed at increasing the use of existing housing stock as well as helping people who want to buy. The announcement does not specify which property owners can apply, what renovation costs are covered or how funding is allocated.

What households should check before 31 March 2027

The Welsh Government says the three schemes will continue until 31 March 2027, subject to the relevant scheme arrangements. Potential applicants should:

• identify whether they are looking to buy a new-build home, remain in a home despite mortgage difficulty, or renovate an empty property;
• check the current eligibility rules and application route for the relevant scheme;
• confirm whether support remains available before making financial commitments; and
• seek scheme-specific guidance because the announcement does not contain full application details.

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian said the measures are intended to help people buy their first home, prevent families from losing their homes and renovate empty properties. She also referred to the Welsh Government’s target of 20,000 additional homes and said support for homeownership would continue alongside increasing the supply of social homes.

Source: Welsh Government Announcements

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Source check Source check

The article checks the announced deadlines, household and property numbers, scheme purposes and named comments against the original Welsh Government source.

Checks

• Confirmed all three schemes are extended to 31 March 2027.
• Checked the stated limits of up to 400 Help to Buy households and up to 300 empty properti...
• Separated confirmed scheme purposes from eligibility and application details not provided...

Welsh Government Announcements Check facts

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Welsh Government Announcements

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Wales

Updated

2026-07-28 11:10

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Article contextPeople & topics2

Siân GwenllianLouisa Edwards

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