Government doubles first-time buyers’ grant for people with severe disabilities

The government doubled the first-time buyers’ grant from €10,000 to €20,000 for people with severe disabilities buying their first property.

The First-Time Buyers scheme offers assistance of €1,000 annually over a ten-year period to help young people purchase their first home. This amount will increase to €2,000 a year for persons with disabilities.

The Labour Party announced the measure during the June general election, and it has now been implemented within the government’s first 100 days in office.

Lands Minister Owen Bonnici added that the scheme is also being updated to cover cases where a property was acquired through donation after 2022, but a loan was taken out to build the home.

These individuals will now also be eligible to receive €1,000 annually for a period of ten years.

Additionally, the scheme will be extended to buyers who are not first-time buyers, but whose second property purchase will serve as their sole primary residence. Applicants must not own any other property.

The measure is intended to cover a number of situations, including separated individuals who need to purchase a new home as their primary residence.

“The amendments we are announcing today are specifically designed to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most—including persons with disabilities, separated individuals, and families facing various life situations—in a fairer manner,” Housing Authority CEO Matthew Zerafa said.