Published: Thursday 17 March 2022
Key workers serving Kensington and Chelsea’s communities will be able to access more affordable housing in the borough thanks to a trailblazing new Council policy.
Workers from seven professions – health, fire, police, care and social work, state schools and childcare – will qualify for discounted rent under the Key Worker and Intermediate Housing Policy, which was agreed by Kensington and Chelsea’s Leadership Team last night (Wednesday 16 March 2022).
Rental rates for key worker properties will be tied to the lowest London Living Rent in the borough and the homes will be set aside for staff in one of the qualifying professions who meet additional criteria.
Some key workers will benefit from new affordable homes built through the Council’s New Homes Delivery Programme, including ten each at the Kensal Road and Hewer Street schemes currently under construction. A further ten properties will be available in the Barlby Road development which received planning permission earlier this week.
The Council will aim to further increase stock by requiring half of intermediate homes managed by housing associations to be set aside for key workers.
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Lead Member for Grenfell, Housing and Social Investment, said:
“The pandemic reminded us of the immense contributions that key workers make to our daily lives, whether that’s teaching our children, keeping our streets safe or looking after us when we’re sick.
“This policy reflects our profound appreciation for their service and our commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing so they and others are able to live in the heart of the communities they serve so well.”
The policy follows a six-week public consultation and employer survey conducted in 2021 to gauge demand and better understand the needs of key workers, as well as a key worker housing pilot scheme in 2020 which provided 14 high-quality homes to healthcare and education workers.