NEW multi-million pound housing scheme has helped dozens of Oxford residents secure their first real home.

The £3.7m development of 41 new flats and houses in Barton has given local people the opportunity to climb on to the housing ladder.

Oxford Citizens Housing Association built the one, two, three and four bedroom homes at Beckley View on the site of a former run-down block of council flats.

Michelle O'Donohue, resident involvement officer for the association, was one of those lucky enough to move into the development.

But she stressed her job did not give her preferential treatment - as she was on the city council's shared ownership waiting list for almost two years.

Before moving into her new one-bedroom first-floor flat in Fettiplace Road this summer, the 31-year-old had lived in eight different rented houses in Oxford over the past four years.

She said: "I probably did despair of finding somewhere. It's the most massive thing to happen to me. People know where I am - to have the one phone number and one address."

Miss O'Donohue paid £50,000 for a 30 per cent share of her flat, which is worth £162,500. She pays about £340 on her mortgage and £340 rent each month.

And she can also increase her share if she gets a pay rise or unexpected windfall.

She estimated her salary meant the maximum mortgage she could get was £64,000 - four-and-a-half times less than the average property price in Oxford, estimated at £287,781.

The rented homes have been let to people on the housing needs waiting list and the shared-ownership flats are available for people in housing need unable to buy on the open market.

Oxford Citizens Housing Association operations director Andrew Smith said: "We have worked with the council, using funding from the Government-backed Housing Corporation, on this development which has brought new life to the area.

"Not only have a range of good quality, affordable properties been provided for people in need but an eyesore site, that once housed a sub-standard elderly persons scheme and under-used garages, has been regenerated."

Fiona Cruickshank, Housing Corporation regional director, said: "I am delighted that Housing Corporation funding in excess of £1.5m is helping to provide 41 much-needed homes in Barton."