First Homes

Government criteria for First Homes properties:

• The scheme is open to first time buyers.
• The total household income must be no more than £80,000
• The minimum discount of a property is 30%.
• The sale price after discount can be no more that £250,000.

For further details, please see the information published on the Government website:

First Homes scheme: first-time buyer's guide: Overview - GOV.UK

For properties within the Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) and Lewes District Council (LDC) areas, the following local criteria apply during an initial marketing period agreed with the developer:

You must:

• Be a resident within the local authority area of the First Homes property for at least 6 months prior to applying for a First Homes property. And / or
• Work at least 15 hours per week within the local authority area of the First Homes property and have done so for at least 6 months prior to applying for a First Homes property. And / or
• Have a close family connection within the local authority area of the First Homes property. 
  • A close family connection for the purposes of this scheme is one of the following:
    • Children including stepchildren.
    • Parents including stepparents.
    • Siblings including stepsiblings.
    • Grandparents.
    • Grandchildren.

Government exemptions to the local connection criteria are:

• Members of the armed forces.
• Veterans who have left the armed forces within the last 5 years.
• Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners of service personnel, whose deaths were a consequence of their service.
• A former spouse or civil partner who is divorced or separated from a member of the armed forces.

For properties within the Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council areas, the following exemptions to the local connection criteria also apply:

• Keyworkers.
  • A Keyworker for the purposes of this scheme is one of the following:
    • Healthcare: doctors, nurses, social workers, care workers, and paramedics.
    • Education: nursery and teaching staff.
    • Emergency services: police officers, fire firefighters, ambulance staff, and coastguards.