Family moves into key worker home

1:33pm Tuesday 3rd December 2002

ONE of the first families to move into a new key worker development in Darwin Close, St Albans, was presented a with a golden key by MP Kerry Pollard.

Mr Simon Jones, a teacher, and his wife Robyn were one of the first families to settle into one of the six new key worker homes last month, which are being managed by Ridgehill Housing Association's managing agents London Strategic Housing.

The remaining families are due to move in by Christmas.

Mr Pollard said: "This is an excellent scheme which will be kept for key worker housing in perpetuity and involves no public subsidy.

"Laings' innovative building is of a high standard and is just the type of development we need more of."

St Albans District Council has pledged its commitment to providing key worker accommodation throughout the district in recent months.

People who live or work in the district and earn between £17,000 and £25,000 a year can apply provided that they do not already own another property.

Preference is given to applicants employed in specified categories, which include teachers, police officers, firefighters, health workers, social workers and other areas that are nominated by the council's head of paid service.

Mr Jones admits he would have been unlikely to afford to live in the district without the scheme, which allows his family to pay a subsidised rent while the couple's combined income remains under the £30,000 threshold.