Tenants set to get a reduced downsize offer

CASH incentives for Exeter council house tenants willing to downsize to a smaller properties to free up much-needed family accommodation look set to return — but at a reduced rate.

The proposed scheme, from next April, will provide up to £1,500 to existing council tenants who are living in a home larger than their needs, to help them move to a smaller, more suitable home.

Those who require it will also get one-to-one help and assistance with the move to ensure everything goes as smoothly and as stress-free as possible. The cash incentive will help to pay for the cost of removal, together with other essentials costs such as utility connections, new carpets and curtains.

Members of Exeter City Council's scrutiny community committee will decide on Tuesday whether to back the revised downsizing scheme to help families in need on the council's housing register.

Over the past two years, 112 tenants have taken advantage of the current scheme, which paid up to £2,500, freeing up six four-bed, 62 three-bed and 44 two-bed properties for families on the housing register.

But a report to the committee says that because of the scheme's popularity, the budget for this financial year had been exhausted.