Around 11,000 tenants were claiming housing benefit in York at the end of the 2012/13 financial year.

Of these over 8000 were occupying socially rented accommodation (Council/Housing Association properties)

814 tenants were registered on HomeSwapper seeking direct exchanges.

226 exchanges had been completed in the year.

The York Council has recently amended its policies to give priority to exchanges to be used in cases of social or financial hardship. A downsizing incentive scheme has been introduced.

NB. At the end of February there were 2,300 applicants on the housing waiting list in York