* The Housing Corporation website (www.housingcorp.gov.uk) has a factsheet for key workers, details of the SHI and an on-line directory to help you find details of your local provider.
* www.housing.odpm.gov.uk also has details of the SHI, as well as updates on future schemes and access to a range of reports and statistics on all aspects of housing. Also look at www.keyhomebuy.com.
* The National Housing Federation’s website (www.housing.org. uk) has advice for key workers on what support is on offer and how to access it. Or tel: 020 7278 6571.
* www.london.gov.uk is a good way to keep up to date with plans for housing key workers in the capital. Enter “housing” into the search.
* The Teacher Support Network publishes a housing factsheet. Call 020 7554 5222 or visit www.teacherline.org.uk. It also offers a “money advice service” - call or email for details.
Mortgages
* The Bradford and Bingley Building Society is online at www.marketplace.co.uk, or phone your local branch.
* The Teachers Building Society also has a website: www.teachersbs.co.uk. Click on “NUT members” for details of the 100 per cent scheme. Or phoneits mortgage advice line: 08000 378669.
* www.charcolonline.co.uk is an online mortgage broker with free advice, and a run-down on best offers.
* www.moneysupermarket.com mortgages is another place to compare discounts against fixed-rates, endowments against repayments.
Also
* The Microflat Company (www.themicroflatcompany.com).
* For information on regional house price variations go to www.statistics.gov.uk.
* Follow the development of the housing for key workers story over the past year or so at www.societyguardian.co.ukkey workers.
* The New London Property Guide by Carrie Segrave (Mitchell Beazley, pound;12.99) will help you find the best-value areas for renting or buying in the capital.
Many housing associations run schemes to help teachers. Examples include :
* The Peabody Trust (www.peabody.org.uk) has been at the forefront of the push to create affordable renting for key workers, under a scheme entitled “Get London Working”.
* The Landmark Housing Association (www.landmark housing.org.uk) operates in London and has its own shared ownership schemes for teachers.
* The Moat Housing Group (www.moat.co.uk) is another association that works extensively with teachers, this time in the south-east.
* The NUT (www.teachers.org.uk) has a long-running campaign to raise the London allowance to offset the extra cost of accommodation.
