Chance to downsize is offered to Barrow tenants
Last updated at 16:24, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
COUNCIL tenants are being offered the chance to downsize.
Barrow Borough Council has launched a new downsizing scheme which is aimed at helping those who find their homes are too large for them.
The scheme is aimed at people who may be struggling to maintain their property or pay their bills.
It has been launched ahead of the welfare reforms, many of which come into force next month and include a change which has been dubbed the “bedroom tax” – where housing benefit claimants will lose a slice of their benefit if their property is deemed “under-occupied”.
Councillor Brendan Sweeney, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council, said it was trying to actively encourage people and offer them support to downsize in light of the reforms.
He said: “What we are doing now is actively encouraging people to downsize by giving them help and actively engaging with them.
“The government bedroom tax, which I think is totally unfair, will see many people being hit where their houses aren’t over-occupied but they have a spare room, which they often have for good reasons.”
Residents that are accepted into the downsizing scheme will receive a higher priority for rehousing in their chosen areas and will be given a grant towards the cost of fittings in their new home.
Their needs will be assessed by home visits, and practical advice for those moving with special needs will be given.
Applicants to the scheme must have a clear rent account and made continuous payments for at least six months.
Their current property should be in a reasonable condition and will be inspected, with any required work being carried out before the move takes place.
Those who have had complaints made against them for anti-social behaviour will not be considered and tenants with high housing needs will be prioritised.
Tenants must live in a property which is deemed under-occupied by at least one room and will not be allowed to move into a property which could be considered over-occupied if they moved in.
For more information on the scheme, contact the council’s housing options team on 01229 876302 or 876550.
First published at 16:14, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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This is a brilliant idea; why should the governenment pay for people to have a spare room? I accept there are exceptions i.e. disability, children serving in the armed forces etc but as far as I can see everyone is having to make cuts so I'm afraid those who want to keep an extra room for whatever reason are going to have to pay for the priviledge just like those with mortgages - I'd love a spare room but I could only afford a mortgage for a one bedroom flat so thats what I've got. "Welcome to my world" I say; "It's where people living in the real world reside!!"
Posted by ag on 13 March 2013 at 14:53