TENANTS of registered social landlords who want to move to a smaller property are being offered a cash incentive of up to £3,000 by West Devon Borough Council to free up family homes. A Tenant Incentive Scheme is helping older people who live in homes larger than they need to move to smaller sheltered accommodation. Many older people are reluctant to move home, as it can be difficult, stressful and costly. The cash incentive is in recognition of such a move and the council has a support package to help those who need it. Tavistock Area Support Services or Age Concern Okehampton and Torridge can give tenants a helping hand with their move, from sorting and packing, arranging disconnections and reconnections and even measuring up a new home. Already, seven family-sized properties have been released through the scheme in the borough. Affordable family homes are in demand in West Devon and as latest figures show, around 1,400 people are on the council?s housing register, many of them families. The incentive scheme is available to West Devon tenants of a registered social landlord, who live in a home of at least two bedrooms, are on the housing register and who need to move to one-bedroom sheltered accommodation or accommodation for older people. The landlord must make the home the tenant moves from available to the council for a homeless family. Cllr Margaret Garton, chairman of the council?s future planning and housing committee, said the incentive scheme meant tenants could afford to make the move to more suitable premises. She said: ?With the added benefit of lower bills for heating and rent it can make a huge difference to the tenant and we would welcome more people taking up the opportunity. ?The council is pleased to initiate a scheme involving our local caring agencies, to make this process as smooth and stress-free as possible.? For further information about the scheme, contact the council on 01822 813600 and speak to a housing adviser.
