Key Worker Schemes

There are three schemes available to key workers who directly or indirectly provide key services to residents in the borough:

New Build Homebuy (formerly known as Shared Ownership)

You buy a share of a property and pay rent on the remainder, gradually buying further shares so that eventually you could own the property outright. It is essential that you have applied to the Richmond Housing Register in order to be eligible for this scheme.

For an application form if you would like to have your details added to the Housing Register and general enquiries please contact Richmond Council’s Housing Provision team on:

Housing Provision Team
Civic Centre
44 York Street
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW1 3BZ

Telephone Number: 020 8831 6444

Email: housingallocations@richmond.gov.uk

Intermediate Renting

This scheme has rent that is 80% or less than the ‘market’ rent charged for an equivalent property by a private landlord. It is only open to key workers.

First Time Buyers Initiative

This scheme is open to anyone who is a first time buyer who cannot afford to buy on the open market. On FTBI designated schemes, it enables you to purchase a new property with Government assistance (min £25,001) which means that you can take out an affordable mortgage (minimum 50% of the total purchase price) on which repayments are made.

There are always new-build developments being built by local housing associations which you may be eligible for. Log onto the Housing Options website for information on current schemes in Richmond or contact Tower Homes to register your details:

Enquires and Application Team
Tower Homes Ltd
70 Court Road
Eltham
SE9 5NP

Telephone Number: 020 8294 5000
Facsimile Number: 020 8294 0507

Email: eateam@lqgroup.org.uk

Eligibility

Am I eligible for these schemes?

The eligible groups for these schemes are:

• NHS staff excluding Doctors, Dentists and Administrative staff;
• Teachers with Qualified Teacher Status or Further education Teachers’ Qualifications, in schools, further education and sixth form colleges;
• Police Officers and some civilian staff in certain police forces;
• Prison service and probation service staff;
• Ministry of Defence staff;
• Local Authority workers such as Social Workers, Educational Psychologists, Planners (in London), Occupational Therapists, plus others and;
• Members of the fire and rescue service.

Eligibility will vary across regions depending on local recruitment and retention priorities. Richmond Council has a wider definition of key workers than the London-wide scheme so you may be eligible for the local schemes if you are or will be providing key services either directly or indirectly to the public. Included within our definition of key workers are ambulance and bus drivers.

In addition to meeting the general eligibility criteria if you are a key worker applying for home ownership you must:

• Be employed in a qualifying key worker profession;
• Have a household income that does not exceed £60,000 per year;
• Have at least 5 years to serve prior to retirement.

Full details of eligibility can be found on the Housing Options website.

School Workforce e-Housing Bulletin

If you are a teacher employed by the Local Education Authority and want more information from Richmond Council including receiving regular updates, you can join the School Workforce e-Housing Bulletin by registering your request and email address with:

Colin Bell
Workforce Recruitment Manager

Telephone Number: 020 8891 7599
Email: schoolworkforce@richmond.gov.uk

The school workforce housing assistance contributes to the borough's school workforce recruitment and retention strategy.