Incentives for downsizing - oiling the wheels of the housing market system

Housing LIN Viewpoint No 54 written by Bob Line - At a time when government is creating 'entry level' incentives to encourage people into homeownership under the 'Help to Buy scheme, should we also be looking at a range of incentives to help older people to downsize to free up much needed larger accommodation?

Recent think tank papers and media interest have suggested that the lack of housing choice is a turn-off for older people looking to downsize. In this viewpoint, we look at how the housing market can gear itself up to assist "downsizers" and the types of financial instruments that could potentially incentivise timely moves.