Following the launch of the England-only Help to Buy equity loan scheme in April, the Welsh government has been planning to offer a similar scheme in Wales.

Housing minister Carl Sargeant has now confirmed that Welsh homeowners will be able to access government-supported equity loans by the end of 2013.

Sargeant said that he would consult on the ‘scope and potential scale’ of Help to Buy Cymru over the summer before a formal launch later in the year.

“I have been looking at a range of options to support buyers who are struggling to secure a mortgage or purchase an affordable family home,” he said in a statement to the Welsh assembly.

“This support is intended to stimulate demand and encourage greater supply of new-build properties. A fundamental part of this strategy will be the launch of a shared equity scheme: Help to Buy Cymru. We will be working with stakeholders to determine the scope and potential scale of a scheme over the summer in preparation for a launch later in the year.”