Key worker housing

The cost of living, and especially housing, has been a real barrier to retaining teachers in London and other areas in the South East for a substantial part of their career.

From 1 April 2004, teachers working in these areas have been able to apply for interest-free equity loans under the Key Worker Living scheme towards the costs of buying a home. 

There are several options.

  • Loans of up to £100,000 for school teachers judged to be future leaders of London schools and committed to teaching in London.
  • Loans of up to £50,000 for school teachers and other key workers in high cost areas of the South East, including London.
  • Shared ownership (part-buy, part-rent) and rental opportunities.       

Eligibility

More information on eligibility is available from the Housing options website , but generally if you have qualified teacher status (QTS), are employed on a permanent contract, have a household income of less than £60,000 pa and have at least five years’ to serve prior to your retirement, you may be eligible for a loan.

To find out more, please see the Housing options website, which has a useful ‘FAQ’ section on key worker housing.

Regional options

  • If you work in London, you can also call 0845 600 6699.
  • If you work in Essex, call 07002 662 846 or visit www.moat.co.uk.
  • If you work in Norfolk and Suffolk, call 0845 850 2050.
  • If you work in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, call 0845 456 6757.
  • If you work in Hertfordshire, call 01582 869 440 or go to www.leavalleyhomes.co.uk.
  • If you work in Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Berkshire, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire, call 0845 600 6699.    

Shared ownership

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As a teacher, you may be eligible for a shared ownership scheme.
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As a teacher, you may be eligible for a shared ownership scheme where you buy an affordable share of a home - say 25-75% - and then pay a subsidised rent to a housing association on the remaining balance. 

Help and support

For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000), Belfast (028 9078 2020) or Edinburgh (0131 272 2748) offices or email info@atl.org.uk

For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).

If you are not a member, join now.

Further information

Useful websites