Oxford residents who want to have their say on priorities for a new housing, homelessness and rough sleeping strategy have a week left to take part in public consultation.
Oxford City Council intends its new five-year strategy – which will replace the current Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2018-21 – to provide joined-up solutions to the housing and homelessness challenges facing Oxford.
As the housing authority for Oxford, the council is legally required to have a homelessness strategy and a strategy on rough sleeping. While there is no legal need for a housing strategy, there is a strong correlation between housing, homelessness and rough sleeping.
The consultation closes at midnight on Monday 02 August.
To help shape the development of the new strategy, the council has undertaken a review of housing and homelessness in Oxford. This provides an evidence base for the consultation, which will ask the public for their views on a new vision and five emerging priority areas for action. These are:
People who want to take part can find more information and complete the consultation questionnaire.
People who are unable to complete the questionnaire online should phone 01865 252173 or email StrategyandEnabling@oxford.gov.uk.
The council will use the results of the consultation to update the review, vision and priorities and prepare a draft strategy for further consultation this autumn. The new housing and homelessness strategy will then be approved and implemented early next year.
Councillor Diko Blackings, the cabinet member for affordable housing, housing security and housing the homeless, said: “We know that Oxford residents care about tackling the housing and homelessness crisis in our city, and we want you to let us know what you think our priorities should be in the next five years. Our initial consultation ends at midnight on 2 August, so please have your say.”