A HOUSING association has been set up to help people in social housing who want to move to a smaller home.

The Magna West Somerset Housing Association has been awarded a grant by West Somerset Council which means that from April it will be able to employ a home moves adviser to help tenants look for their ideal property.

The project is one of many funded by EDF Energy as a result of its planned Hinkley Point C power station.

Christine Boland, Magna tenant services manager, said: “The homes moves adviser will develop and promote a wide range of cost-effective options to help people move to a smaller home.

“There are all sorts of reasons why people may want to move to a smaller home – they may have to pay the underoccupation charge if they stay where they are or they may simply be finding a large house unmanageable.”

Cllr Keith Turner, of West Somerset Council, said: “We’re expecting continued high demand for housing in the area, and by helping to free up family homes Magna will be helping to ease the situation.

“We were very pleased to be able to offer a two-year grant of £30,000 a year to support this project.”