Croydon Council is seeking approval for a home downsizing pilot that could provide residents with housing upgrades and redecorations.

The scheme builds on the local authority’s existing downsizing support, which seeks to address the issue of roughly 8.5% of Croydon’s housing stock being under-occupied.

According to a council report to the Housing Assurance Board, this is just below the national average, while over 8,500 households in the borough are waiting for accommodation and more than 2,100 council tenants are facing overcrowding.

To help address the issue, the downsizing scheme seeks to free up family-sized homes that are currently occupied by tenants who have more space than they require (residents living alone in three and four-bedroom properties).

The scheme is part of the council’s aims to help the Housing Service in achieving a minimum C2 rating by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Concerns around moving out of under-occupied houses had previously been raised by tenants due to the following reasons: leaving their local communities, fears over finding good-quality homes, and needing more support with the move.

However, the council has said that the proposed expanded scheme will ensure tenants who downsize will have be offered properties in their area of choice, as well as being offered home improvements including works to kitchens, bathrooms, and other types of redecoration.

The pilot is being considered by the Housing Assurance Board today, and if approved, will likely be rolled out by the end of the month.

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A Croydon Council spokesperson said: ‘We know there is significant demand for larger family homes in Croydon, and we want to make the best possible use of the council homes we already have.

‘We also recognise that moving home is a big decision, particularly for residents who have lived in their homes for many years.

They added: ‘This proposed pilot builds on our existing downsizing support and has been shaped by that feedback. It includes improvements such as a new kitchen, bathroom and redecoration, alongside dedicated, personalised support to help residents through every stage of their move.

‘We want to make downsizing a more attractive option for residents who are considering moving to a smaller home, while helping to free up larger properties for families who need them.’