Views sought on barriers to downsizing homes

Officials say they hope to help "people wanting to downsize and those wanting to upsize alike"

People in Guernsey are being asked to share their views on what prevents islanders from being able to downsize their homes.

The Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure launched a survey examining the island's high underoccupancy rate, where homes have more bedrooms than needed by members of the household.

It said this was especially the case for many pensioner households, many of which had two or more spare bedrooms, although officials acknowledged this "works well for some households".

The survey is open until the end of September.

Housing 'logjam'

The committee said downsizing could "support housing market movements throughout the housing chain, freeing up larger properties for families and second-time movers, which, in turn, can free up smaller properties for first-time buyers".

It also said people in larger homes might "like the option to live somewhere easier to maintain, more affordable to run and better suited to their needs, especially as they get older".

The survey work would feature drop-in sessions and focus groups, project leaders said.

This research would result in proposals contributing to the Guernsey Housing Plan, including sections looking at tackling "significant housing pressures", officials said.

"We are working to find solutions to break this logjam to help those wanting to downsize and those wanting to upsize alike," they added.

The survey is available to complete online.