<p><span>Housebuilders can now bid for a share of £150 million to deliver First Homes on plots as part of the government’s pilot scheme for the initiative.</span></p> <p><span>The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has invited housebuilders in England to apply for the financing through Homes England, allowing them to offer plots for sale as First Homes to support the scheme’s roll out. </span></p> <p><span>First Homes are aimed at first time buyers and key workers and will be sold at a market discount of at least 30%. This percentage reduction will remain in perpetuity. </span></p> <p><span>MHCLG said the contract award being offered under an “Early Delivery Programme” will allow housebuilders to engage with local authorities and mortgage providers, understand the expected level of customer demand for the discount market homes and glean more information about the delivery process ahead of the scheme’s full implementation through planning.</span></p> <p><span>When First Homes are fully launched, they should account for at least 25% of all affordable housing delivered through planning obligations.</span></p> <p><span>Ministers are aiming to oversee the delivery of 1,500 First Homes by March 2023. Under the pilot, two sites have launched, as part of Keepmoat Homes’ scheme in Bolsover, East Midlands, and …