--- title: "Co-Own customer Kate: \"I have achieved a dream I never thought I would as a single parent\"" date: 2026-03-25T11:42:00+00:00 author: Sarah Hannity canonical_url: "https://co-ownership.org/customer-stories/customer-story-kate" section: Customer stories --- **Customer Stories**# Co-Own customer Kate: "I have achieved a dream I never thought I would as a single parent" Helping a single mother of three buy her own home. ![1140x760px](https://co-ownership.s3-assets.com/1140x760px/_1040x760_crop_center-center_none/1140x760px.png) For years, Kate assumed homeownership wasn’t something that would ever be within her reach. A single mother of three who had always rented, buying a home felt like a distant dream - something for “other people.” But in July 2021, everything changed. Kate had heard about Co‑Ownership before, and with her brother having bought through shared ownership in England, the idea had been at the back of her mind. One day, she decided to take the first step. “I just thought… why not give it a go?” she said. Despite describing herself as someone who struggles with technology, Kate found the application process surprisingly simple. “It was really informative, and the staff were so helpful. They always made me feel comfortable,” she shared. “I was blown away and overwhelmed by how supportive they were.” Using her Help to Buy ISA as her deposit, Kate began her journey. Although the first house she hoped to buy fell through, she soon found another, and this time, it all became real. After so many years renting, she described the experience as “surreal… a dream come true.” Right up until she was handed the keys, she couldn’t shake the fear that something might go wrong. In her day job at the time, Kate worked in a bank, yet she still found the idea of buying her first home daunting. “The thought of a mortgage is scary,” she admitted. “But Co‑Ownership made it plain sailing.” And then came the moment she had waited for: the keys to her very own home. “When I got my keys, I just died. It was amazing.” What surprised her even more was how affordable it all turned out to be. Kate now pays less in rent and mortgage than she did when privately renting - saving around £250 every month. “Buying a house through Co‑Ownership is so affordable and so achievable,” she said. Since moving in, Kate has transformed the house into a place that truly reflects her family. She has tiled the floors, added new doors, and put her own touches throughout. “I never thought I would be able to do something like that,” she said. “You can make your house your own.” She also accessed energy‑saving support through Co‑Ownership advisers. “They had knowledge I wouldn’t have known myself, things like insulation and energy‑saving light bulbs. It really helped.” For Kate, one of the greatest joys has been the impact on her son Damon (20), who is autistic and lives with her full‑time. “This has made a huge difference to him,” she said. “He talks about ‘our wee house.’ He loves it. He has more independence and more security.” Knowing she can provide him with a lifelong home has been one of the most meaningful outcomes of all. With a big smile, Kate sums it up simply: “Co‑Ownership changed our lives.” And her message for anyone considering taking the first step? “If you are even thinking about it, phone them and find out more. They are so positive and make it so easy. You will never look back.” Looking around her home, Kate still feels the joy she did on day one. “I have achieved a dream I never thought I would as a single parent… I love it, and nobody can take it away from you.” ## Related links - [Who is Co-Ownership for?](https://co-ownership.org/understanding-co-ownership/who-is-co-ownership-for) - [Our products](https://co-ownership.org/understanding-co-ownership/our-products) - [Applicant criteria](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/application-process-explained/applicant-criteria) - [Getting a mortgage](https://co-ownership.org/starting-the-process/getting-a-mortgage) ![](https://co-ownership.org/build/images/icon-info-red.png) ## To discover if Co-Ownership is right for you, try our Affordability Calculator. - [Click here](https://co-ownership.org/tools-calculators/affordability-calculator) ### Share this page - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://co-ownership.org/customer-stories/customer-story-kate.md) - [ WhatsApp ](https://wa.me/?text=Check%20out%20this%20article%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fco-ownership.org%2Fcustomer-stories%2Fcustomer-story-kate.md)