New Forest Council tenants offered cash to downsize under new scheme
Thousands of pounds will be offered to tenants who agree to leave homes larger than they need under a new scheme.
Thousands of pounds will be offered to tenants who agree to leave homes larger than they need under a new scheme.
New Forest District Council has approved a voluntary scheme offering council tenants up to £3,500 to move into smaller properties, with the aim of freeing up larger homes for the 429 households currently waiting for three- and four-bedroom accommodation.
The new “Right Home Right Time” policy was approved by cabinet on Wednesday, October 7.
The scheme aims to make better use of the council’s housing stock while helping tackle pressures across the district.
Figures released by the council revealed that there are currently 318 applicants waiting for a three-bedroom property and a further 111 households seeking a four-bedroom home.
Families needing a three-bedroom property face an average wait of 33 months.
Under the scheme, tenants who voluntarily move to a smaller property could receive between £1,000 and £2,500 depending on the number of bedrooms they give up.
Removal costs of up to £1,000 could also be covered, taking the maximum support package to £3,500.
The council estimates around 1,000 single tenants are living in homes with more than two bedrooms, but it is not yet known how many would choose to downsize.
During the Cabinet meeting, Cllr Jeremy Heron welcomed the proposals.
The Conservative for Ringwood South said: “We have a housing stock which is under pressure for people who are growing families to find suitable accommodation in which they can bring their families up and take it forward.
“This is a small, but very important, way that looks to do the best we can to address that situation and try and encourage people to have the right house that is the right size.
“It is also about the freeing up of a larger property so that a new family can grow up and have the same enjoyment of it.”
As well as financial incentives, the scheme will offer practical support including help with removals, packing, utility transfers, benefits updates and settling into a new home.
The council said the policy could also support efforts to reduce homelessness.
Emergency accommodation currently costs an average of £78 a night, or £2,372 a month, and officers said making better use of existing housing stock could help reduce demand for costly temporary accommodation.