Final drop-in session on downsizing homes

The States said downsizing could help free up larger properties for families

A project aimed at finding out the barriers islanders face to downsizing their homes will hold its final drop-in session on Thursday.

The event at the Styx Community Centre from 10:00 to 15:00 BST will bring to a close a week of sessions conducted by housing market specialists from Arc4 on behalf of the States of Guernsey.

The States has previously said many pensioner households had one or more spare bedrooms.

It said downsizing could help free up larger properties for families.

'Find a solution'

Hannah Goddard, a consultant from Arc4, said the size of people's gardens had emerged as a "common theme" shared by attendees.

"Whilst they still want to have a garden facility and want to still enjoy that very therapeutic hobby, it's just too much for them," she said.

Colleague Jo Price said the sessions aimed to help the States understand the barriers to downsizing and help plan accordingly.

"People want to remain on the island, they want to find a solution that's going to suit them as they move into that later life stage," she said.