To be confused how people can afford shared ownership

We had a shared ownership property many years ago. The rent + mortgage was similar to what we had been paying in rent previously. The main benefit was the security it gave us. We could stay (and decorate as we pleased) until we decided to sell.

I didn't know this was possible, but a woman posted a thread recently and this was her plan to pay off the rent element.

I think they're a huge rip off but can understand the attraction

Whenever Ive looked at them, out of interest, the amount paid for mortgage, then rent, then service charge is really high, I dont know how or why its considered 'affordable' housing, another Tory con in my view

Then when you come to sell it, you have a limited pool of potential buyers and I think some landlords have a say over who buys it.

I'm not convinced of this!

People buy shared ownership because for some saving for a deposit whilst privately renting just seems impossible. Therefore why not do shared ownership, at least you have security in your home and maybe the value will increase and you can sell and buy one that is completely yours.

development, most people are fully employed. We had to show proof that we could afford it even if prices went up (just as a regular buyer would).

Our mortgage used to be more than our rent but the rent has increased at a faster pace.

The two costs together add up to about the same amount as renting or buying outright would cost.

Given the choice, we'd have bought outright but circumstances did not allow us to do this. It's not an ideal scheme but it enabled us to stay near family and jobs.

I'm not sure why the pp thinks it is likely that shared ownership purchasers would be more likely to have benefit top ups. In my

Because many of them will be getting some form of benefit top up and the rent part is paid for them, just leaving them to cover the mortgage.

In my case, the mortgage is very small because I only purchased 25% of my property, the rent is also lower because I'm only paying rent on the other 70% (paid 5% deposit up front). All in all, I probably pay the same amount in total as if I was renting an equivalent property, except of course I have the benefit that I'm the homeowner. The property has gone up in value so the hope is to sell and make profit.
Shared ownership is far from perfect but it was the only hope I (and many others) had of getting onto the property ladder. I could never have saved up a deposit large enough to buy a full-value property. So for that reason alone I recommend it.