A petition has launched calling for frontline charity workers to be eligible for key worker housing schemes.

The petition wants those working for charities to be given access to the schemes, which are currently available to essential public sector workers working across healthcare, education and the emergency services.

It has been launched on the official government and parliamentary petitions website by charity worker Marcin Nocek, who is a night shelter coordinator for Homeless Action in Barnet.

“Housing schemes for affordable or subsidized housing options are predominately available to essential public sector workers,” states his petition.

“We believe that frontline charity workers provide essential services and significantly support the public sector, especially in services like homelessness, mental- health and housing support.

“Therefore, we think their staff should be eligible, the same as certain public sector workers.

“We think this could help charity frontline staff to address their critical needs for housing, to live closer to work and keep the most talented and dedicated staff in the charity sector.”

The petition will run for six months to January next year. If it achieves 10,000 signatures it will gain a response from the government. At 100,000 signatures it will be considered for a parliamentary debate.

Speaking to Charity Times Nocek added that many small to medium sized charities “are losing many good workers as they are not able to rent a property; in order to afford, they move from charity sector to the private sector”.

He says that particularly in London charity workers with low salaries should be offered the same housing opportunities as key workers.

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