Key Workers: Women and Housing in London

Key workers are defined as those directly employed in the provision of health care, education, social work, the police and fire services. In London, more than 75% of employees in some of these 'key' sectors are women. Women from black and minority ethnic groups are over-represented among some key worker groups (GLA, 2001).

Key workers are essential to service provision and economic development in London, but many cannot afford to buy or rent accommodation at market prices in the capital. In 2001, the London Housing Federation estimated that 60,000 key workers would leave London in the next ten years, principally due to a lack of affordable accommodation. There is thus an urgent need to provide affordable housing for key workers. Housing provision is addressed in the Sustainable Communities Plan, the London Plan, the Starter Homes Initiative and the London Thames Gateway development scheme. Inequalities in housing supply are a significant part of the Treasury's review of housing supply nationally, headed by economist Kate Barker and due to report in the spring.

The LWPF seminar on Wednesday 25 February 2004 focuses on housing for women key workers in London.

The seminar will focus on the following questions:

• How do policy initiatives address the need to provide affordable housing for women key workers?
• How successful are partnerships between employers, councils and developers in providing affordable housing for key workers?
• Do current schemes for housing key workers still focus on home ownership and shared ownership?
• Is the need for social rented and sub-market rented accommodation being met?
• How is the household composition of key workers taken into account in policy initiatives?
• To what extent is affordable and accessible housing available for key workers with disabilities?
• How does the provision of affordable housing for key workers relate to a broader vision of sustainable communities?
• How are sustainable communities gendered?