Key worker living

This section explains the Key worker living scheme, which workers are eligible and how they can apply.

Key worker living is a government-funded scheme that helps key workers in London, the South East and East of England to buy a home, upgrade to a larger property to meet household needs or rent a home at an affordable price.

What is a key worker?

For the purposes of this scheme, a key worker is someone employed by the public sector in a frontline role delivering an essential public service in the areas of health, education and community safety where there are serious recruitment and retention problems.

Who can benefit?

A 'key worker' in one of the groups listed below can get help to buy their first home or to move into a family home. Opportunities are also available to rent homes at affordable prices.

This help is available in London, the South East and the East of England where the high cost of housing is affecting employers' ability to recruit and keep staff.

Key workers who may currently get help include:

Clinical National Health Service (NHS) staff (with the exception of doctors and dentists)
Teachers and nursery nurses in schools and further education/sixth form colleges
Police officers, Community Support Officers (CSO) and some civilian police staff
Prison officers and some other staff
Probation Service staff
Social workers, nursery nurses, educational psychologists, and therapists (e.g. occupational therapists) employed by local authorities, Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) or the NHS
Local Authority Planners and Environment Health Practitioners
Firefighters and other uniformed staff below principal level in Fire and Rescue Services
Connexions Personal Advisors employed by a local authority or a Connexions Partnership
Ministry of Defence (certain personnel)
Highways Agency Traffic Officer staff in safety critical roles within the Traffic Officer Service.

Eligibility criteria can vary across regions depending on local recruitment and retention priorities. A full list of eligible roles can be found on the Homes and Communities Agency website (external link).

How do key workers apply?

To find out what is available locally and to obtain an application form, key workers must contact the HomeBuy Agent for the area in which they work.

What is a HomeBuy Agent?

A HomeBuy Agent is a registered social landlord (commonly known as Housing Association) that markets housing schemes including those for key workers across an area. HomeBuy Agents provide a one stop shop and point of contact for potential purchasers of the Open Market and New Build products. They deal with applications and arrange the help that key workers need.

A complete list of HomeBuy Agents and their contact details can be found on the Homes and Communities Agency website (external link).