Cash boost for tenants who downsize

7.17.04pm GMT Fri 28th Dec 2007

This has been a bumper year for the Council's Sponsored Moves scheme, which offers cash incentives to housing association tenants who downsize, by moving to smaller homes and so freeing up desperately-needed family-sized properties.

Tenants are awarded £2,500 per bedroom given up. Someone moving from a three bedroom to a one-bed property would receive £5,000 plus many other benefits, including help with moving costs. Since April this year cash awards have been made to 12 tenants who have taken advantage of the scheme and there are a number of others in the pipeline.

Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing on Richmond Council, Cllr Denise Carr, said: "Our Sponsored Moves initiative has released twelve family-sized homes since April and we are very keen to continue boosting awareness and take-up of the scheme. We hope the recent increase in payments may act as a further incentive."