Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate downsizing for social housing tenants under-occupying homes.

The government encourages the efficient use of existing housing stock.

When it comes to social housing, local authorities and housing associations are encouraged to support under-occupiers to transfer to smaller properties, including through mutual exchanges.

In the five-step plan for delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing published on 2 July (which can be found on gov.uk here), the government set out its intention to review how effectively social housing providers use their properties, and explore ways to encourage movement within the sector through mutual exchanges (particularly where homes are overcrowded and under-occupied).