Image credit: MCAU
Manchester City Council is offering financial help for people in a social rent, Council or Housing Association home that may want to move into a smaller, more manageable property.
‘Rightsizing’ is a process where a tenant in a larger social rent property that may have more rooms than they need or perhaps are struggling to manage a big house as they get older can be supported into a smaller property that better suits their needs.
The benefits of rightsizing include cheaper bills, lower rents and homes that are easier to clean and manage – while freeing up larger Council properties for families who are on the housing register.
Around 20,000 households are currently on the housing register with larger family homes representing some of the most significant wait times. While an estimated third of all social rented family homes are thought to underoccupied.
Last year alone, 109 households were helped to rightsize, supported by a dedicated team of Council officers, and benefitted from the Rightsizing Incentive Scheme, which also helps cover the costs associated with moving house. A further 432 households have expressed interest in rightsizing.
Residents interested in rightsizing could get a cash incentive of £2,500 – which can be spent on anything they like – along with moving costs.
“Rightsizers” can stay in their local community to remain near family or friends – or could choose to move elsewhere in the city.
The dedicated Rightsizing team are available to provide expert advice around the support on offer. Residents can find out more about the process without making any commitment to moving and no one is obliged to move from their current home if they don’t want to move.
Find out more about Rightsizing – a partnership approach between the Council and the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership (MHPP)
Or find out more about more about Rightsizing through Manchester Move
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“Rightsizing could be a brilliant option for older people who are renting a Council home who may have spare rooms they don’t need or would benefit from looking after a smaller property. Often a barrier to moving is the cost, but the Council will take care of the financial burden to help a resident move into a new home.
“The benefit for the city is that we can free up more larger homes for people who are waiting for a property that properly meets their needs. We think around a third of Council tenants could be under occupying their home – which means they could be paying more than they need to or they could be hit with the bedroom tax.
“While we are committed to building more social housing to meet demand across the city, we also need to use the homes we already have in the most appropriate ways. While no one will be forced to move home if they don’t want to – rightsizing could be a really good option, along with a cash bonus, for our residents who would love a smaller, cheaper and more manageable home.”