NURSES and teachers fear they could miss out on affordable homes because of plans to count hundreds of university staff as “key workers”.

Key worker homes are currently made available to health workers, firefighters, police and teachers, to attract and retain staff in the city.

However, despite the worsening local housing shortages, Oxford City Council wants to give staff from Oxford’s two universities, including lecturers and researchers, the chance to live in subsidised key worker homes.

The news has angered low-paid workers in the public sector, who say there is already a serious shortage of affordable homes in the city.

The city council sets out its plans to change its definition of “key worker” in a new planning document.

Noting that 19 per cent of the city workforce is in higher education, the council document says : “Higher education has, in common with the public sector, faced challenges for staff recruitment and retention. These occupations are also considered vital for Oxford as a world class city.”

It says key workers can qualify for affordable housing or buy key worker housing on the open market.

Sue Noble, who lives in key worker accommodation in Old Road Headington, close to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre where she works, said: “Without this accommodation I simply would not have anywhere to live.”

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “No decision has been made on the final definition of a key worker. Oxford City Council will carefully consider all responses to the consultation.”

Oxford University spokes-man Matt Pickles said: “The university has not pressed for this move.

“But there are aspects of the current definition of ‘key worker’ that do need to be explored – for example if there are two nurses working at the JR, one employed by the NHS and the other by the university, the former can be classed as a key worker but not the latter.”

Oxford City Council, like other councils, is responsible for the planning process. The provider of the key worker housing, such as a health trust, will be responsible of administering and allocating housing, within the definition laid down by the council.

Key worker homes created in the city recently include schemes in Old Road, London Road and at Holyoake Hall in Headington.

  • Consultation events are being held to discuss key worker housing, student accommodation and other planning issues.

Call the planning policy team on 01865 252847 for more details.