A NEW housing development in Southampton is offering affordable housing for older people and freeing up family homes.

The scheme of 16 bungalows and two houses has been developed by Swaythling Housing Society in conjunction with Southampton City Council.

Most of the tenants have been referred to the association by the City Council.

Many are council tenants over the age of 55 who either needed to move into purpose-built homes for health needs or were under-occupying their council homes.

Their move to The Grove has released ten three-bedroom properties and one four-bedroom house and two three-bedroom flats.

Those homes will now be allocated to families on the council's housing list.

Housing allocations manager Janice Whittle said: "Many of our tenants, who, after their family has grown up and moved away, choose to remain in a property that is both far too large and inappropriate for their needs.

"As we only have a limited number of three and four bedroom properties, this means that families often have to wait for years for a home.

"The council cannot force tenants to move out, but they are eligible for a transfer to more suitable accommodation. When these bungalows became available we wrote to tenants occupying larger houses and asked if they were interested in applying.

"Those who have been successful now have a new home that is more suitable for their needs - at the same time as freeing up much-needed family accommodation."

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Paul Russell, who toured the site and talked to residents, said: "This new housing scheme is terrific news. Not only does it provide purpose-built accommodation for older people, but it is helping us make way for families who have been waiting for some time - in many cases for several years."