Housing strategy statement

The Council transferred its housing stock to Cottsway Housing Association a newly formed Registered Social Landlord, in March 2001.

However, the Council still has an important role to play in meeting the need for affordable accommodation in the District.

The Housing Strategy Statement - Building Futures is one of the Priority Strategies included within the Council Plan. The strategy should be read in conjunction with the Council's Homelessness Strategy 2008-2012.

In pursuit of its vision to maintain and enhance West Oxfordshire as one of the best places to live and work in Great Britain the Council will support individuals and families to stay in the area by the provision of affordable housing.

The following Housing Objectives have been set:

To ensure that all persons in the district of West Oxfordshire have the opportunity to secure satisfactory
and affordable accommodation that is suited to their needs.
To follow a co-ordinated and informed approach to addressing the housing problems of the District that
acknowledges the inter-relationship between inadequate housing provision and other issues of concern to the local community.
To work in partnership with other housing agencies to facilitate the provision of adequate accommodation to
meet the housing and related support needs that are identified.
To ensure 'best value' in its use of public resources and to stimulate maximum utilisation of available private
resources.
To engage in a continuous dialogue with customers of the Housing Service with a view to securing continuous
improvement in the quality of service that is given.
To ensure equality of opportunity in housing provision across all sectors.
To promote sustainable development that meets with the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Council has set itself a target of enabling the provision of at least 340 new affordable homes between 1 April 2007 and 1 April 2010.

In 2007, the Council worked with the other local authorities in Oxfordshire to carry out a sub-regional Housing Market Assessment. A copy of the summary report can be found in the Housing Services publications section of this web site.