31st July 2024
A new era for genuinely affordable, high-quality, council-owned housing has begun in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
It is over 20 years since the last council houses were sold in the districts and house prices and rents have spiralled. Now South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are tackling the problem head-on.
The first of 45 homes being purchased and refurbished for those in the highest level of housing need are now ready for people to move in as phase one of the councils’ drive to become long-term social landlords for local residents.
Once purchases are completed on the homes [27 in South Oxfordshire, 18 in the Vale] they are then renovated and furnished ready to become a stable home for as long as people need them.
This move has been largely funded by immediately available grants that are intended to initially support those in high housing need, including families fleeing conflict in places such as Ukraine and Afghanistan, and can then be used to support long-term housing need in the local community.
Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Housing, South Oxfordshire District Council said: “Making use of this national funding was an incredible opportunity to tackle two issues – the immediate and urgent need to find homes for people fleeing conflict, and the long-term need to provide members of our local communities with a supply of good quality, genuinely affordable homes. Energy efficient measures such as new combi boilers and double glazing will help to keep energy bills as low as possible.
“Not only are we using external grant funding, we’re also contributing money to buy these homes to help with our district’s housing issues in the long term. Ultimately, this process will be much more cost-effective than having to deal with homelessness issues in the future.”
Councillor Sue Caul, Cabinet Member for Housing, Vale of White Horse District Council said: “Becoming social landlords once more will help us to help those in most need within the Vale. We’re determined to help improve people’s living situations and make the most of all opportunities to do that. Using the funding to help build up a stock of council-owned affordable homes will ensure people on lower incomes can live and thrive here.
“We’re delighted to see the properties refurbished and freshly decorated, ready to provide a welcoming home for those who need it most – both now and into the future.”
In the longer-term, these properties will support the councils’ Housing Delivery Strategy to provide access to suitable, affordable homes for local people. This will help the councils address a long-term issue of the availability of affordable housing for people in South Oxfordshire and the Vale – which are expensive places to rent or buy on the open market.
The councils support refugees across a number of schemes including Homes for Ukraine, Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme, Afghan Citizens Resettlement scheme, UK Resettlement Schemes and the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa scheme.
View a video of one of the new houses here:
