Older Jersey homeowners encouraged to downsize to free up bigger family homes
Older homeowners in Jersey are being encouraged to consider moving to a smaller property, in order to free up housing for families.
The government's Housing Policy Report has found that senior citizens would be willing to make the change if there was more sheltered housing provision.
The report found that a third of older homeowners have spare bedrooms.
Estate agents say demand for larger homes is huge, but often they remain occupied by people whose children have long since left home and who struggle to cope with the upkeep of larger properties and gardens.
Constables in each parish have been gathering feedback from parishioners and identifying potential sites to increase community housing.
The island's Housing Minister says the report is not trying to "force" people to leave their family homes.
The government says it is important to make the most of the existing housing stock, but it is just one way of tackling the issue.
It says it is also key to provide more affordable housing and to ensure developers and the government work more closely to make the best use of land.