How do I know if I am eligible under the Hounslow’s key workers definition?
In Hounslow, we have defined ‘key worker’ to be as broad as possible. All people on moderate incomes who live or work in the borough are eligible if you do not own your own home. Moderate incomes are currently defined as up to £59,000 per household.
How do I know if I am eligible under the Governments key workers definition?
There are some schemes that meet the government’s definition of key workers.
Further details of these schemes are available through Housing Options.
They can be contacted:-
Online at www.housingoptions.co.uk
On the phone - 0845 230 8099
Or you can e-mail them at housingoptions@mht.co.uk
Who are Housing Options?
Housing Options is the gateway for all affordable housing in London and will be the ‘one stop shop’ for all East, North, and West London boroughs. It will allow public sector tenants, key workers and first-time buyer’s further opportunities to own a home of their own. The aim is to provide a one-stop shop of affordable home ownership products.
They can be contacted on:-
Online at www.housingoptions.co.uk
On the phone - 0845 230 8099
Or you can e-mail them at housingoptions@mht.co.uk
How does the borough prioritise key workers?
Priority will be given to anyone currently living or working in the London Borough of Hounslow.
Within this, council tenants will be given priority. For all schemes there is a procedure, which sets out the eligibility priority for all property types according to housing needs. This procedure is agreed between the Housing Association (RSL) and the London Borough of Hounslow.
What is New Build Home Buy (formerly known as shared ownership)?
This is where applicants buy a share in a property from a Housing Association (RSL), and pay rent on the remaining share. The amount of the share bought varies from scheme to scheme but usually starts at 25% (but can be lower for some schemes). Over time, you can buy extra shares in the property until you own the property outright. As the share of the property goes up the rent level decreases.
For example, on a property worth £200,000, you could buy 50% (half) of the value, i.e. £100,000. Rent is then charged on the remaining share of the property.
Should I also register with Housing Options?
If you meet the government's definition of a key worker then you should also register with Housing Options. This will give you further access to properties that are being developed specifically for the government’s definition of key workers.
You can obtain an application form and find out more information by:-
Applying online at www.housingoptions.co.uk. You can also view available schemes and properties on this website.
Call 0845 230 8099 to request an information pack or email housingoptions@mht.co.uk and leave your name and address and ask for an information pack.
What properties are available for Shared Ownership/New Build Home Buy?
New properties are being built all the time, if you are registered with Housing Options, you can see what is available both in Hounslow and across London.
I meet the boroughs definition of Key worker but my partner does not. Can we still apply together?
Yes. The Council schemes are aimed at everyone on a moderate income that lives or works in the borough even if only one member of your household meets the criteria.
What happens next?
Once you’ve registered, you will receive a confirmation email and your details will be saved onto our database. As schemes become available, information will be emailed to you.
If you are interested in a property, the housing association will need to confirm that you’re eligible for the scheme, and how much you can afford. This would normally be done through an interview where your documents would be checked. After that, you will have to go through the normal process of getting a mortgage and buying your new home.