Douglas Council has confirmed it may ask some older tenants in its public sector housing to 'downsize' to smaller homes if their properties are needed by larger families.

New tenancy agreements have been sent out, in which the Corporation reserves the right to re-house tenants, to make best use of the accomodation.

It's a move aimed at reducing the waiting list for council properties and is in policy elsewhere in the Island.

But South Douglas MHK David Cretney says the new agreements have upset some elderly tenants, worried they may have to leave homes they've lived in for many years.

However, member of Douglas Corporation's Public Health and Housing Committee, David Ashford, says down-sizing homes makes sense so larger properties are offered to those who need them.

Councillor Ashford adds that older people whose children have left home would often prefer a smaller place to live