Witney News - Support to secure affordable rural housing

Support to secure affordable rural housing

Funding to support the work of a specialist to help with the provision of affordable housing in West Oxfordshire has been agreed by the District Council’s Cabinet.

Members have recommended that up to £11,250 be given to part-fund the post of a Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) in 2010/11.The RHE is responsible for assessing housing needs in rural communities and works with parish councils and landowners to identify opportunities for affordable housing developments.

Cllr Jill Dunsmore, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Providing affordable housing for local people is a priority for West Oxfordshire District Council and we are committed to supporting our rural communities in this way. Despite the recession, house prices remain high and it is important that we continue our work to secure affordable housing for residents in our villages and small towns.”

West Oxfordshire District Council has helped to fund the RHE since the post was introduced in 2002 and has worked closely with the Enabler to secure affordable housing for local people on rural exception sites in areas including Charlbury, Kingham, Leafield and Ramsden, as well as a forthcoming development in Eynsham.

The RHE is employed by Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) and is also part-funded by Cottsway Housing Association and Oxford Citizens Housing Association (OCHA), as well as Cherwell District Council for work carried out in the north of the county. A second RHE works in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White House districts.