Devon housebuilder supports forces personnel with homes and job opportunities

Serving military personnel in Devon are being given extra help to get on – or move up – the housing ladder.

Barratt Homes is pledging its support to local armed forces by giving them access to a dedicated buying scheme.

It comes as the five-star housebuilder – and people across the country – prepare to celebrate Armed Forces Day (June 30).

Barratt Homes is running an Armed Forces deposit contribution scheme which offers anyone who serves in the Army, Navy or RAF thousands of pounds off the cost of a property. The five-star housebuilder gives them a £500 discount for every £25,000 or part thereof on the cost of the property up to a maximum contribution of £5,000.

It can be used at Barratt’s developments across Devon, including those in Plymouth, Exeter, Cullompton and Ivybridge.

Sara Parker, sales director at Barratt Homes, said: “As a company we’re incredibly grateful to each and every member of the Armed Forces, who often have to undertake work in unimaginably hostile war zones. We’re keen to help as many as possible move into a great new home here in Devon and we hope this offer provides some help to make it that bit easier.”

As well as Barratt/David Wilson Homes’ deposit contribution, Armed Forces members can also take advantage of the Forces Help to Buy Scheme which aims to make it easier for servicemen and women who are first-time buyers or those who need to move due to a change in circumstances, to purchase a new home with a 5% deposit and 75% mortgage.

Barratt Homes, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is also helping ex-forces start new careers when they leave the military. It is currently celebrating the third birthday of its ex-forces recruitment scheme. The trainee assistant site manager programme for the Armed Forces community scheme takes ex forces personnel and trains them to become assistant site managers over the course of a year.

The scheme started with a pilot of seven applicants and this year it is taking on 46. In Devon, an impressive 10 ex-forces personnel are currently benefitting from the housebuilder’s scheme

Among them is former marine, Greig Mills from Tiverton, who is currently working at Barratt Homes’ brand-new Minerva development in Exeter. He said: “There are some really good opportunities out there and forward-thinking companies like Barratt Homes really appreciate the skills that ex military people have.

“There are a lot of attributes you develop in the forces that translate well to the construction industry, like strong leadership, and it’s a fun sector to be in. The buzz you get from seeing the finishing touches go on a house is rewarding and it’s great to do a job that has a physical aspect to it too.”

Barratt Homes also has ex forces personnel based on its sites in Ivybridge, Cullompton, Plymouth and Brixton.

To find out more about careers with Barratt Homes visit https://www.barrattcareers.co.uk/ and to find out about its Armed Forces Discount Scheme visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/offers/armed-forces-deposit-contribution/.