Key Worker Schemes

There are 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 8487 5454

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.

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 FIRST STEPS website.