Assessing the Housing Needs of Key Workers

Issued on behalf of the Rural East Anglian Partnership

Three Norfolk councils are teaming up to find out how much of a problem 'key workers' face in finding homes in their patches.

North Norfolk District Council, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and Breckland Council are surveying employers and their staff about recruiting and retaining key workers - people like nurses, teachers in schools and colleges, probation officers and social workers who have essential roles in supporting the wellbeing, quality of life and economy of local communities.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has recognised that a problem exists in the east and southeast of England, and is making funds available through the Key Worker Living scheme to help key workers buy or rent homes in the areas they serve.

The scheme works to tight definitions of 'key workers', though these definitions vary from region to region. Across Norfolk, the scheme is administered by Orbit First Step, the low-cost home ownership division of the Orbit Group of housing associations.

Now the trio of Norfolk councils, working together as the Rural East Anglian Partnership, will gather the survey data (followed up in some cases by interviews with employers) to understand the extent of the problem of recruiting and retaining key workers. The results will help the three councils fix their own housing priorities, based on the actual needs of their three Districts.

More than 1500 questionnaires have already been distributed, and must be returned by Friday, 16 July, 2004. Employers and key workers who have not been surveyed, but who would like to be, can take part by contacting James Heaton at Breckland Council by emailing james.heaton@breckland.gov.uk or calling 01362 656843.

For more information, see:
www.odpm.gov.uk/keyworkerliving
www.orbit.org.uk/ofs
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk
www.breckland.gov.uk

ENDS