Introduction
We began implementing the new strategy in April 2023.
Our Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028 sets out our intentions to provide more affordable and low-carbon homes, improve conditions for renters in all tenures and go further in preventing homelessness and rough sleeping.
As the housing authority for Oxford, we are legally required to have a homelessness strategy and a strategy for rough sleeping. While there is no legal need for a housing strategy, there is a strong correlation between housing, homelessness and rough sleeping.
In 2021 we undertook a review of housing and homelessness which produced an evidence base, a draft vision and five priorities for action. Endorsed by two rounds of public consultation in 2021 and 2022 and with an updated evidence base and action plan for 2023/24, these form the basis for our new combined strategy.
Vision and Priorities
By 2028, addressing Oxford's need for more affordable housing, improving the standard of housing in the city while lowering its carbon impact, with services and partnerships that are focussed on preventing people losing their homes, rapidly rehouse those who become homeless, and ending the need to sleep rough.
The five priority areas flowing from this vision are:
- providing more, affordable homes
- great homes for all
- housing for a net zero carbon future
- preventing homelessness and adopting a rapid rehousing response
- ending rough sleeping
The end of pandemic support measures and a rapidly unfolding cost of living crisis are likely to increase demand for council services in what is already a challenging financial climate. Continued service transformation and partnership working will be paramount in helping us rise to these challenges and deliver solutions to our five priorities.
