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Shapps backs downsizing plan for elderly owners

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 11:06 AM

Housing minister Grant Shapps has called for more support for elderly people to stay in their home or downsize to a smaller one if they wish.

Launching a New Deal for Older People to give them more control and choice over where they live, the minister revealed extra funding for home adaptations.

And he said local authorities should learn from the government-backed Freespace scheme piloted by the London Borough of Redbridge. This helps elderly home owners to downsize into rented accommodation while the council takes responsibility for maintaining and letting their property at an affordable rate.

Shapps and junior housing minister Andrew Stunell hailed the scheme as a "win-win" and a model for other councils around the country.

However, it immediately came under fire from pensioners' groups and the equity release industry. Shapps was also attacked in the Daily Mail for backing a "socialist" policy.

Shapps said: "Moving to more suitable accommodation can make a life-changing difference for some older people.

"The FreeSpace project in Redbridge shows what could be achieved - under this scheme older people will be able to live independently for longer and enjoy more disposable income without selling their home, and other families will benefit from living in an affordable home."

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