Tenants offered incentive to downsize

Highland tenants are to be offered an incentive to move to a smaller council home that better meets their needs.

The Highland Council's Housing and Social work Committee today (Wednesday) agreed a downsizing policy to encourage and support tenants of Highland Housing Register landlords to transfer to a smaller home.

The scheme will provide a mix of financial and practical help to people who want to move to a smaller home. For example, a payment of £1,500 will be made to tenants, based on moving to a house which is two bedrooms smaller. Each additional bedroom freed up would attract an additional payment.

The policy will be introduced over an initial six-month period, funded to a maximum of £75,000.

Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee said: "This type of approach is a useful method for meeting housing needs effectively, particularly at a time when the new build affordable housing programme is under pressure. It also makes best use of our housing stock."