Care workers will be among the first in line for new homes in Wokingham after a successful campaign.

The Wokingham Conservatives are claiming victory in a campaign to consider care workers as Key Workers, which allows them to be among first in line for more affordable housing in Wokingham and the surrounding area.

The change has come after Conservative councillors raised the matter with officers of the Council, who will carry out the change in designation. 

It means care workers will join other professions in Key Worker designation such as NHS staff, nursery staff, teachers and police.

Each year a number of properties are made available at 80 percent of local market rates for Key Workers.

Therefore, adding care workers to the category will  allow them to access more affordable types of housing, so that they can settle and stay in the Borough for longer. 

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An example of Key Worker housing in Wokingham is the 22 one and two bed apartments built as part of the Peach Place redevelopment, which were passed to council owned housing company Berry Brook Homes.

The Wokingham Conservatives have observed that the  cost of private renting and owning a home in the Borough have soared in recent years making Wokingham an unaffordable place to live for some.

The designation change will mean all professional carers, including part-time workers, who have a five-year connection to the Borough will have Key Worker status.

It is expected that care workers will be added to the list of Key Workers by the end of December.

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Councillor Laura Blumenthal (Conservative, South Lake), shadow executive member for levelling up, equalities and social housing, said: “This change will make the Borough a more attractive place to live and work for much needed care workers.

“Wokingham is an expensive place to live, and housing is in high demand, and we need to do all we can to stop care workers from moving out of our Borough.

“This policy will mean care workers earning up to £30,000 will be able to apply for accommodation at a discounted rate. I am pleased that the Council listened to our suggestion and will be implementing this change soon.”

Cllr Phil Cunnington (Conservative, Norreys), Shadow Executive Member for Adults Social Care added: “Nationally there is a shortage of carers. I have previously spoken of my concern for the number of vacancies in Social Care across our Borough.

“This policy is the first step in addressing this problem. I am pleased that the Council have taken it on board and are acting, following our suggestion.

“ Carers do essential work looking after some of the most vulnerable in society. Nobody wants to think of getting old, but if the time comes it’s important to know that high quality care is available for those that need it.”