New Shared Ownership Factsheet highlights affordability pressures and first-time buyer demand
Connells Group has published its latest Shared Ownership factsheet, setting out a national perspective on the performance, affordability and outlook for shared ownership across England.
Drawing on Connells Group’s unrivalled property transaction data and analysis, the report highlights a housing market that continues to challenge first-time buyers, while underlining the important role shared ownership plays in widening access to home ownership.
Key findings from the factsheet include:
- First-time buyers now account for 34.4% of all purchases in Q1 2026, up from 23.5% in 2021 and just 18.2% a decade ago, reflecting a structural shift in buyer demand.
- Shared ownership remains a significantly more affordable route than renting or conventional home ownership, with the average monthly cost of a 40% equity share at £747, compared with £1,089 for a full mortgage and £1,374 for average rents across Great Britain.
- The average age of shared ownership buyers continues to rise, with purchasers aged 40 and over accounting for more than a quarter of sales — highlighting the growing affordability barriers faced by households later in life.
- Supply remains constrained, with private new-build completions down 19% nationally since 2019/20, creating further pressure in high-demand regions.
- Regional disparities persist, with London and the South East showing the highest potential demand pools despite higher prices, while lower-priced regions such as the North East still face affordability constraints.
The report also explores policy developments and market uncertainty, including the impact of interest rate volatility, planning constraints, and the need for clearer guidance and transparency for shared ownership consumers.
Roy Hind, Group Affordable Housing Director at Connells Group, said:
“Shared ownership continues to provide a critical stepping stone into home ownership at a time when affordability remains stretched for many first-time buyers. However, with demand proving resilient and new supply under pressure, the sector must continue to evolve — improving transparency, broadening access and developing a healthy resale market to support the next generation of homeowners.”
The factsheet reinforces the need for collaboration between housing associations, developers, lenders and advisers to ensure shared ownership remains fit for purpose in a changing market.
The full Connells Group Shared Ownership factsheet for Q1 2026 is available here.
For further insight or bespoke analysis, contact Connells Group Research Consultancy.