On September 2, the government announced a range of measures in an attempt to calm the troubled housing market, including the decision to temporarily suspend stamp duty on properties worth £175,000 or less. The tax is lifted until September 3 2009. Other measures included: <br><br>Offering first time buyers a £300 million shared equity scheme to help them onto the housing ladder. A £200 million mortgage rescue scheme to help those facing repossession to remain in their homes. A £400 million cash injection for social housing providers, including registered social landlords (RSLs) to build 5,500 more social housing over the next 18 months. Supporting critical regeneration schemes through working with regional development agencies (RDAs).<br>The Home Builders Federation (HBF) overall welcomed the measures: “Two elements responded directly to us – the stamp duty holiday and the shared equity scheme,” commented John Slaughter, HBF’s director of external affairs. “These measures directly support the discussions we had with the government, English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.” But the package failed to address the acute problems within the mortgage market, Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF, stated: “This remains a critical picture on which the ultimate success of the measure depends. We urge the …