Last updated: 27th January 2026
What are Key Worker Housing Schemes all about?
Key worker housing schemes are government-backed programmes aimed at helping key workers get a foot on the housing ladder in areas where the usually eye-watering property prices make it hard to buy or rent a place to call home.
These schemes usually target essential workers such as NHS staff, teachers, police officers, firefighters and all sorts of other public sector employees whose jobs are vital to the local community.
The help provided through these schemes can vary but often looks like this:
- Discounted purchase prices that are a lot lower than the going rate
- Shared ownership opportunities that let you buy a chunk of the place and pay rent on the rest
- Priority access to brand new homes that are ready for you to move in
- Special worker accommodation specifically built for people working in certain roles
Key Worker Programme
Although the Key Worker Living Programme ended in 2019, there are still several schemes and mortgage options available that could help you buy a home – even if you have a low credit score or complex income.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for support through specialist housing schemes or mortgage products tailored to key workers. A mortgage advisor can help you explore these options, from specialist lenders for complex cases to mainstream providers offering competitive rates for applicants with a good credit status.
The best way to find the right route is to speak with a mortgage expert who understands the current key worker housing schemes and the criteria lenders are using right now.
Who Does the Government Classify as a Key Worker?
A key worker is basically anyone in a job that supports the vital public services we all rely on. Eligibility might vary a bit between schemes and local authorities but usually includes:
- NHS and healthcare staff
- Teachers and the people who support them in the classroom
- Police, prison and probation officers
- Fire Service Firefighters and those who work alongside them to keep us safe
- Social workers and care staff who support vulnerable people in their communities
Some schemes also require the applicant to be first time buyers, some even have to be local first time buyers to fit the eligibility criteria.
Key Worker Housing for Police, Probation & Defence Staff
Key worker housing schemes are available to those of us in the most frontline jobs. Police officers, prison service staff and the likes, who are the backbone of essential public services. And that includes a range of roles which are vital to public safety and the infrastructure of this country – police, probation and Ministry of Defence staff are right at the top of that list, and many housing schemes are actively trying to help them out.
Eligibility isn’t strictly limited to only those who work directly for the police force, for example – probation service staff and all sorts of civilian workers who support the people on the front lines are all eligible too. And if you’re a contractor or a long term agency worker with a contract to show for it – you’ll qualify for some schemes as well.
Available Schemes To Help Key Workers Get On The Property Ladder
Right To Buy
Tenants of council or social housing can buy the house they live in at a large discount from the market rate as long as they’ve lived in them for a minimum of 3 years. The discount increases the longer the tenant has lived in the property. Click for more information about Right to Buy
With its primary aim to build one affordable rental house in place of every house sold, it maintains the level of affordable housing while also providing properties for those waiting to purchase.
Help To Buy Equity Loan
This equity loan scheme, aimed at first time buyers, helps buyers purchase properties with a deposit as low as 5% by offering them a Government loan to pay the rest of what would have been the deposit. The Government loan itself is interest- and payment-free for 5 years. Only eligible for new homes. Click for more information about the Equity Loan Scheme.
In the short term, Help to Buy can make for convenient borrowing and is especially great for key workers who cannot afford to put down a large deposit to secure a mortgage.
Can Key Workers still access the help to buy scheme?
Unfortunately not, the help to buy scheme is no longer available to anybody across the country. Regardless of whether you are a NHS staff, armed forces or in the armed forces, it is no longer available.
Shared Ownership
An alternative to the equity loan scheme is Shared ownership, it is a scheme that helps people who can’t afford a mortgage on 100% of a property. Shared ownership allows you to buy a share of your home – between 25% and 75% of the home’s value – and pay rent on the remaining share.
You may have the option to buy a bigger share of the home at a later date, this is called staircasing.
Shared ownership scheme is available for new and second hand properties and these properties are usually (although not always) sold with a leasehold of 99 years. Click for more information about the Shared Ownership mortgage advice
First Homes Scheme – Key Worker Scheme
This is a fairly new key worker scheme and was only launched in June 2021. It is quite a bit different to the equity loan scheme and shared ownership scheme through the housing association.
The First Homes scheme will help local first-time buyers – many of whom will be key workers like teachers, NHS staff and veterans – onto the property ladder by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market value of the total house price.
That same percentage will then be passed on with the sale of the property to future first-time buyers, meaning homes will always be sold below market value – benefitting local communities, key workers, and families for generations to come.
When you contact our mortgage broker we will have access to all of the government schemes, whether it is for a new build local authorities key worker scheme or a standard house purchase as a first time buyer, we will be able to provide the best mortgage advice to get you your own home and take you through the application process.
95% Mortgages
The mortgage guarantee scheme allows first time buyers to purchase a home with only a 5% deposit. The scheme will help to increase the supply of 5% deposit mortgages for credit-worthy households by supporting lenders to offer these products through a government-backed guarantee.
Homebuilders Discounts
Some home builders will offer a discount (usually up to 5%) on new build homes for key workers. Each Developer will have their own criteria for key worker housing eligibility so you should contact the relevant building companies in your local area for further information.
Suitable for: Those looking for an alternative to key worker schemes offered by their local government or housing associations.
*Not all of these schemes are specifically key worker mortgage schemes but key workers can still take advantage of these and they might work out better than just looking on the open market OR continuing to pay rent.
Can I get a key worker housing scheme with bad credit?
Technically, there’s no such thing as a general ‘bad credit’ score. This is because credit scores are calculated in different ways by the UK’s credit file reference agencies.
The main ones being Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Any adverse credit issues themselves will potentially make a huge difference.
Sadly, some lenders will view the slightest fault on your credit history – such as a late payment on a utility bill, or a missed credit card instalment – as being indicative of poor money management, and will consider you a higher risk.
This isn’t to say it is impossible but it does make getting a key worker mortgage more difficult. We would always recommend mortgage advice before applying new home scheme.
Check your credit score today!
Each credit reference agency calculates your credit rating slightly differently and has a different scoring system. Which means that what counts as a good credit score will depend on which of the four major agencies your lender uses.
In order to obtain your report, click on the below link to get a 30 day free trial with CheckMyFile and download your report, after the free 30 day trial they will charge £14.99 per month & this subscription can be cancelled anytime. Provide us with a credit report today, and uncover the issues that could be affecting your credit file! CLICK HERE to access your free credit report with the four top credit agencies all in one report!
How Buying a Property Through a Key Worker Scheme Works
When buying a property through a key worker housing scheme, affordability is assessed differently to a standard purchase. Instead of focusing on rent levels, schemes often apply discounts to the purchase price, shared ownership structures, or eligibility caps designed to keep homes affordable for key workers in higher-cost areas. This also mens your housing income doesn’t have to be through the roof to be able to afford a property.
Is Key Worker Housing the Right Choice for You?
Key worker housing schemes can be a fantastic way to get on the property ladder, but they aren’t for everyone.
They usually work best for:
- Key workers who are really struggling to afford local housing costs
- Buyers who plan to stay in the property for the long haul
- Those who are okay with any restrictions on resale or staircasing
It’s crucial to get a good understanding of the scheme you’re interested in, the actual cost of ownership and how it will all impact your mortgage options before you make a decision.
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