West Devon residents are in line for a cash payout worth up to £5,000 if they downsize and free up their home for a family that is struggling in cramped conditions.

The scheme is open to anyone currently renting a home that is bigger than they currently need through a housing association or social housing registered provider. It is hoped that a bigger cash incentive and practical support will help more people to make a move to ease the current housing crisis.

Cllr Barry Ratcliffe, West Devon Borough Council’s lead member for housing said: ’We desperately need to make some of our larger houses in the borough available for the local families who are currently struggling in homes that are too small. That’s why we’ve decided to give as much help as possible to anyone who is thinking about moving to a smaller home, for example because their own family has grown up and moved away.

’Our team can give practical support with things like filling in forms for making the move. Because of the current high need for family-size homes, we’re now offering an even bigger cash incentive to help those people who are thinking about making a move.’

The total amount of money local people could receive depends on how many bedrooms are released by the move.

Downsizers will receive a fixed payment of £1,000 and and an additional £500 for every bedroom released. They could receive an extra £2,500 if the property is located in a ’high demand area’.

The maximum amount is capped at £5,000.

Recent Devon Home Choice research has shown that 21 families are severely overcrowded and 138 families are currently waiting for a home with an extra bedroom to meet their needs.

Research by the National Housing Federation found that across the country there are:

1.1 million children living in overcrowded homes, which is having a detrimental impact on their health and development.

One million children whose families cannot afford their rent or mortgage payments

293,000 children who live in homes that are unsuitable for their needs or health requirements.

283,000 children living with their families in other people’s homes

The National Housing Federation said the research also shows 1.3 million children are in need of social housing as this is the only suitable and affordable type of home for their families. It is calling on the Government to prioritise long term and sustained investment in social housing as part of its ’levelling up’ agenda.

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must live in a house with at least two bedrooms and want to move into a property that is at least one bedroom less. They must also be registered on Devon Home Choice and be able to prove that the move will not result in overcrowding.

For more information or to apply, email [email protected] on call 01803 861234.