by Alan Watkins

awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Tenants will not be forced to move into smaller accommodation to make room for the area's homeless, councillors have promised.

But those who do want to move will be able to qualify for cash payments to help with the cost.

Medway's all-Conservative Cabinet formally approved payments of £500 a bedroom, with a further £500 on top for removals.

The money will be paid from council rent money.

Cllr Tom Mason (adult services) said it would need a lot of PR to get the tenants to understand the possible benefits to them.

Finance portfolio holder, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said it might help single people living along and heating three-bedroomed houses.

"They will have to consider it against the full costs of heating a large unused property," he said.

The scheme is expected to cost £30,000 a year.