Overcrowding and underoccupation

The Pathfinder scheme is a Government initiative to tackle both overcrowding and underoccupation in social housing across the country.

In Nottingham, it is an initiative between Nottingham City Council (the owners of the homes) and Nottingham City Homes (who manage the homes).

The national initiative links in with local priorities across the country. For example, in Nottingham it is a way of better using the housing we and many housing associations have. Making better use if the stock means we can house individuals and families more appropriately, reducing the number of new family homes needed. it also contributes to improving eductional achievement as children in overcrowded homes can't do their homework in appropriate circumstances.

What is the purpose of Pathfinder?

There are two main purposes:

1) To help alleviate overcrowding by assisting tenants to find more suitable properties or making simple changes to the property so our tenants can live more appropriately in the home they have until a more suitable one is found in the future. This might include having bunk beds instead of single beds for an overcrowded bedroom.

2) To help and support tenants who live in properties which are too large for their needs to find one that is more suitable for their current circumstances. This is particularly the case when older people are in homes too big for them but are either afraid to move or do not have the knowledge or money to make this possible. We can then help with advice on moving and it means we will have a bigger accommodation back in our stock for letting to a family.