Witney News - New affordable housing target set

New affordable housing target set

West Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet has recommended a provisional target of 110 for the number of new affordable homes to be provided in West Oxfordshire during 2010/11.

Cabinet Members agreed the recommendation after hearing that the Council’s minimum target of 340 new affordable homes between April 2007 and March 2010 was likely to be met and possibly exceeded.

During the past two years (since April 2007), housing associations have provided 256 new affordable homes in the District, the majority of which have been made available to rent. The remainder have been used for low-cost home ownership initiatives.

Over the last year, 115 new affordable homes have been provided in various locations in Witney and Carterton, as well as in Clanfield, Ducklington and Over Norton.

Cllr Jill Dunsmore, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Like many areas, West Oxfordshire is in need of more affordable housing and our Council is committed to continue doing all we can to help. All of the District’s new affordable homes have been built to extremely high standards and have presented excellent opportunities for people in housing need. We want to continue building on this success and, given the current economic climate and housing market, we are very pleased to secure a provisional target of 110 new affordable homes for 2010/11.”

It is expected that the 110 target will be met through housing developments planned in Eynsham, Woodstock and Carterton and some in smaller rural exception sites.

The Council has previously set a target of 30% for the number of new affordable homes between April 2008 and March 2011 to be built in rural locations, outside the towns of Carterton, Chipping Norton and Witney.

Anyone wanting further information about affordable housing can visit the Council’s website, www.westoxon.gov.uk or call Housing Services on 01993 861010.