West Oxfordshire Council mandates 65% social rent for new affordable homes

West Oxfordshire District Council has proposed that 65 per cent of affordable homes in future developments be allocated for social rent. This proposal is part of the council’s Draft Local Plan 2043, which aims to address the local housing crisis. Geoff Saul, an executive member for housing, noted that housing is unaffordable for many in the area. Under current policy, approximately two-thirds of affordable homes are built for affordable rent, typically set at about 80 per cent of market rates.

The plan responds to a shortage of genuinely affordable housing in West Oxfordshire. The district currently has over 1,800 households on its housing waiting list, and an estimated 110 additional households each year are unable to afford market rates. The policy aims to ensure new developments include homes that are affordable to live in and maintain.