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<p /> <p /> <p>The Government has already taken steps to support mobility of tenants
in the social rented sector.</p><p>Our social housing reforms have given social landlords,
including councils, much more flexibility when allocating housing. Our statutory guidance
on social housing allocations stresses the importance of giving under-occupying social
tenants appropriate priority for a transfer. It also encourages authorities to re-consider
the parameters of their allocation schemes which may prevent under-occupiers from
being able to move.</p><p>The introduction of the national <em>HomeSwap</em> Direct
scheme has made it easier for tenants wanting to move to find a suitable property.
A guide was issued in February 2014 to support landlords seeking to facilitate mutual
exchanges; highlighting various steps landlords can take to make mutual exchange a
more attractive and viable proposition for tenants.Indeed, many social landlords are
helping affected tenants by holding “mutual exchange fairs”, where tenants who want
to downsize can meet those looking for larger properties.</p><p>The 2015-18 Affordable
Housing Programme also encourages housing providers to build appropriately sized social
homes to meet local need, 77% of successful bids have been for 1 and 2 bedroom homes,
increasing the stock of housing available for those working to downsize.</p>
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