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Key worker housing

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Through the key worker living programme, the Government offers a limited subsidy to help some public-sector workers.

The subsidy will help you if you work in areas like nursing or teaching. It can be used to buy a home near to your place of work, upgrade your home to a family home, or to help rent a home at an affordable price.

Helping key workers buy or rent a home helps keep them in the jobs they have been trained for. This means that essential skills can remain in the public sector.

How do I know if I am a key worker?

Key workers include:

  • nurses
  • other NHS staff
  • police officers and probation workers
  • social workers
  • education psychologists
  • council occupational therapists

A full list of key worker jobs


What happens if I stop being a key worker? Will I have to repay the subsidy?

Yes. For Open Market HomeBuy, the loan must be repaid within two years from when you cease to be a key worker.

For New Build HomeBuy or conventional shared ownership, you will have five years instead of two to repay. In this time you can either sell your share in the property you bought, or buy the equity you do not already own.


How do I apply?

You need to contact the HomeBuy Agent covering the area where you work.

For East London you must contact Housing Options on 020 8920 7777 or visit the Housing Options website.

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