Fareham Council Seeks Residents’ Views on Housing Move Plan

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Fareham Borough Council is asking residents to share their opinions on a proposed “right-sizing” policy to improve the use of its housing stock by encouraging tenants to downsize when appropriate. The consultation is now live and open until September 1, giving the community a chance to shape the final version of the policy.

The policy, developed by Fareham Housing, seeks to ensure that council-owned homes are matched with the needs of the people living in them. It focuses on tenants whose living circumstances have changed, such as those whose children have moved out or who no longer require larger properties. In these cases, the council encourages moving to smaller, more manageable homes that better suit current needs.

Right-sizing is a voluntary process, but the council sees it as essential to improving housing availability across the borough. It helps free up larger homes for families in need, ensures that properties with specific adaptations are used by those who require them, and gives smaller households more appropriate housing options.

The council has launched a short online survey to collect feedback from residents, particularly on how clear and understandable the policy document is. This public input will be considered carefully before any decisions are made. The policy and survey can be accessed on the Fareham Borough Council website.

Councillor Fred Birkett, executive member for housing at Fareham Borough Council, stressed the importance of public involvement in shaping the future of local housing. He said: “Fareham Housing is committed to providing more housing choices to build strong and healthy communities. Right-sizing ensures that the right people have the right homes to meet their needs. I encourage residents to have their say on this policy document.”

The council believes that a well-structured right-sizing plan will benefit those who choose to downsize and help reduce pressure on the wider housing system. Larger family homes are in high demand, and encouraging movement within the housing stock can ease waiting lists and make better use of available properties.

This initiative is one of several steps being taken to manage local housing challenges, particularly at a time when the national supply of affordable housing remains stretched. Local authorities such as Fareham are finding that thoughtful, community-based policies can make a significant difference without requiring major infrastructure investment.

Residents who participate in the consultation will play a direct role in developing the final policy. The council hopes that inviting feedback and listening to tenant experiences will make the resulting framework more practical, effective, and fair.

Residents are encouraged to visit the council’s official website before the September 1 deadline to review the draft policy and provide comments.