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Delivering affordable homes in OxfordÂ
Affordable housing makes a life-changing difference to peopleâs lives but we know that there is a lack of it in Oxford. We're passionate about helping to meet the cityâs need and in the five years from 2020 we will have delivered c. 2,150 new affordable homes.
Last year, we delivered 241 new affordable homes - a 52% increase on 2020/21 - and have plans for many more in the next four years.Â
Nearly two-thirds (148 homes) of the homes delivered in 2021/22 are being let at genuinely affordable social rent â in Oxford this is typically around 40% of an equivalent private rent.
Another 85 homes are shared ownership, a low cost option for people to get onto the property ladder by buying a share in a home they couldnât afford to buy outright.
The number of affordable homes is set to rise significantly over the next four years, with 1,923 homes already forecast in our affordable housing supply pipeline between now and the end of 2025/26.
This forecast currently includes 1,044 homes (54%) at social rent.
This is a fantastic step for the city as we know that Oxford Needs Homes.
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Oxford's Economic Strategy approvedÂ
Oxfordâs Economic Strategy was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 15 June, it sets out the need to harness Oxfordâs economic strengths to make sure they benefit local people and businesses. To do this, the city will need fairer wages, investment in skills and affordable business space, as well as continuing to transition Oxford to a zero-carbon city.
The strategy builds on the Oxford 2050 Vision and Oxford 2036 Local Plan and has had a lot of engagement and input from residents and businesses, which informed the revised version approved at Cabinet.
The strategy has three pillars, which will be pursued over the next ten years: Inclusive Economy, Global Impact and Net Zero transition.
- Zero Carbon â seeks to develop innovation and knowledge to drive the global and local low carbon economy and embed zero carbon principles in future decisions, whilst supporting businesses and residents to do the same
- Global Impact â seeks to build on Oxfordâs strengths as an innovative, and impactful economy, developing ideas that will change the world in areas such as life sciences, energy and social enterprise
- Inclusive Economy - seeks to address economic inequality and develop new approaches to support the least advantaged people in the city.
We are committed to building a fairer economy for Oxford and the strategy aims to support the cityâs recovery from the pandemic in an equal way, so that everyone can benefit from the city's global success in areas like science and innovation.
Plans to transform Oxford West End and Osney Mead move forward
The West End and Osney Mead area of Oxford city centre lies between Osney Mead to the west and Oxford Train Station to the north, Oxford Ice Rink to the south, and St. Aldates to the east.
The area is set to undergo a once-in-a-generation transformation, with projects including:
- Network Railâs redevelopment of Oxford Train Station to create new tracks and provide better east-to-west routes
- The OxWed partnershipâs redevelopment of Oxpens, in land between the train station and ice rink, to create a range of new, innovative business units, together with 400 new homes
- Nuffield Collegeâs redevelopment of the âislandâ of buildings between Park End Street, Hythe Bridge Street and Worcester Street
The new developments will provide a balanced mix of uses including new homes and a range of new innovative businesses.
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Energy Saving Homes fairÂ
On Sunday, Energy Saving Homes Oxford will be taking over Oxford Town Hall for a day of energy-saving advice.
You can expect talks from local Low Carbon groups, architects, letting agents and many other specialists that will help you understand the option for retrofitting your home.
The event is open to all. Join us 10am - 4pm at Oxford Town Hall.
Sunday's event compliments a series of Green Open Homes. Residents across Oxford have opened their doors to show you what they've done and answer your questions about energy-saving measures.
You have until the 29th of June to find out about the benefits - and pitfalls - of everything from solar panels to radiator foil from real people who have already made swaps.
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Refugee Week 2022
This week is Refugee Week 2022. A time to celebrate community, mutual care, and the human ability to start again.
As a City of Sanctuary, Oxford is a safe and welcoming place. We are proud to have a diverse population and believe this enriches and strengthens our city. We're honoured that so many people want to call Oxford home.
To mark Refugee Week, we have shared a personal account from someone who found refuge in Oxford five years ago.Â
You can read Dhamyaa's letter using the button below.
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Have you claimed your energy rebate?
17,000 households in Oxford are still to claim their ÂŁ150 energy rebate.
The rebate is not automatically paid to everyone so we need you to make an electronic application if you are not the named account holder, receive a council tax reduction or are not in our system for any other reason.
Applications must be made online so that they can go through the relevant security checks, if you are struggling to access the internet then local community or advice services may be able to help.
Applications take 10 working days to be processed and we'll be in touch if there are any issues.
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Market Street toiletsÂ
Earlier this week we installed portable toilets in Market Street to temporarily replace the ladiesâ public toilets.
We were forced to close the public toilets in Market Street following the collapse of part of the ceiling in the facility.
The gentsâ toilets were able to reopen, but the ladiesâ toilets remain closed due to the unsafe ceiling.
The portable toilets will be in place until the ceiling in the public toilets has been repaired and the facility can reopen.
It is hoped that the ladiesâ public toilets will reopen in July.
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Electric Vehicle StrategyÂ
Thanks to your input in an electric vehicle questionnaire earlier this year we have now drafted an electric vehicle charging strategy.
It sets out the proposed infrastructure that the city will need between now and 2040 to help people that are dependent on car use who live, work and visit the city to switch to electric vehicles.
We now need your views to find out if it would work for you!
You can find more information and the consultation by clicking the button below.
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