Council sizes up Lib-Dem housing plan

Lib-Dems are calling for renewed action to tackle overcrowded and under-occupied local housing.

The opposition group on Oldham Council says children in particular are suffering from overcrowding, and they call for tougher action towards tenants needlessly occupying larger homes.

A motion being put to tonight’s full meeting of the council calls on the authority to promote “right-sizing” in social housing.

Councillors Lynne Thompson and John McCann said more than 5,500 families are in priority need of a home with three or more bedrooms.

They say one priority family in 15 could be rehoused if other people who are “grossly under-occupying social housing at public expense” were moved.

Oldham had until recently an award-winning downsizing scheme which delivered over 200 larger homes Other ideas include creating a hardship fund to meet the rent arrears for tenants who under-occupy council properties but who are actively seeking a move.