A HOUSING association is offering help to first time buyers and key workers who want to get on the housing ladder.

The Catalyst Housing Group is organising the Banbury HomeBuy Show tomorrow, from noon to 5pm, to explain the housing solutions that are on offer.

Admission to the event is free.

Affordable housing solutions available include the Government's Open Market HomeBuy Scheme, which offers an interest free' loan of up to £50,000 to put towards a new home.

No interest or monthly payment is charged - the loan is repaid from the increase in property values when the home is sold.

Housing providers and independent financial advisers will be at the show to give advice, and visitors will be able to take advantage of free Internet property searches.

Farhaan Mirza, marketing manager at Catalyst, said: "Local people such as key workers and first time buyers should come to the show.

"It is a great chance to find out about the affordable housing solutions we offer."

HomeBuy has already helped hundreds of people buy a new home, and in July the Government announced that affordable housing initiatives would total £8bn over the next three years.

Catalyst is the HomeBuy agent in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire and provides a one-stop shop for all low-cost home ownership schemes in the region.

  • Catalyst, a charitable organisation, provides more than 15,000 affordable homes in London and the South East.

Its work includes regeneration schemes, sheltered and special needs housing, residential care homes, low-cost home ownership, and key worker accommodation.