Key Worker Scheme 'lacks political will'

Emergency service workers and teachers in London and the south-east are not being provided with the Key Worker homes they were promised, property specialists claimed.

first-time buyer adviser Firstrung said that the necessary political will was not imposing itself for the provision of affordable housing for key public sector workers, with builders also failing to take the initiative.

The National Affordable Homes Agency has claimed that the Key Worker Living scheme is in fact helping public sector employees in the expensive and crowded London, south-east and east of England areas to buy or rent a home at an affordable price, but Firstrung cast doubt on the achievements.

Paul Holmes, chief executive of the firm, claimed: "Without mass building of starter homes…it's impossible to build ourselves out of the problem we have to create affordable housing.

"There are no more political budges and soundbites ready to be delivered and only solutions can be delivered and I don't think the political will is genuinely there for the key worker home."

The Key Worker Scheme was created to respond to a lack of affordable housing alternatives in crowded areas, with the retention of public sector workers the goal of the programme.

Published 18th December, 2007

© 2007 Estates IT Limited