LOW earners who live or work in Hounslow and who are struggling with ever increasing property prices could soon be given access to housing through Key Worker schemes, regardless of their particular profession, under plans being drawn up by Hounslow Council.

The council has this week announced they are expanding the definition of a key worker' for their own housing initiatives, so that anyone who works or lives in the borough, and earns under £35,000 per year, can access these schemes.

Current initiatives which target key workers such as firemen, teachers and nurses, have been hugely successful, including more than 300 shared ownership purchases in the last five years. However, the definition of Key Worker' has traditionally ignored low paid professions such as charity work, recognising only medical workers, teachers and a limited number of other jobs. In some of the new affordable housing schemes being developed in the borough in the next few years, however, Hounslow Council will widen the criteria of workers who can benefit, basing the scheme on earnings rather than profession.

Bernadette O'Shea, Head of Housing Strategy and Services said: "Current house prices mean that many people who work or rent in the borough can't afford to live in the borough in the longer term. Our new definition of key workers means that more people who provide a service in the borough, from bus drivers to shop workers to office staff, can now live near to where they work. "

There are a number of different initiatives which will become available through the council in the next few years, including rented schemes with rents below market levels, as well as lower cost home-ownership schemes where people part buy and part rent.

People interested should visit the website www.hounslow.gov.uk/keyworker.