Housing news

• Council welcomes government commitment to fund tower blocks re-cladding

  Published: Thursday, 17th May 2018

  This week the Prime Minister announced in the House of Commons that the government will fully fund the removal and replacement of dangerous tower blocks cladding for councils and housing associations.

• Townsend Square improvement works gather pace

  Published: Thursday, 17th May 2018

  New parking bays for cars and bikes have now been completed at Townsend Square as part of the City Council’s ongoing £800,000 programme to refurbish the estate and benefit over 70 households.

• Rogue landlord sentenced to six months in prison for unlawful evictions

  Published: Thursday, 26th April 2018

  An Oxford landlord with a history of criminal and non-compliant behaviour was given a six-month custodial sentence for a series of housing offences at Oxford Magistrate’s Court on 25 April 2018.

• Oxford landlord issued financial penalty of £15,624 for HMO offences

  Published: Friday, 20th April 2018

  An Oxford landlord has been issued a financial penalty of £15,624 for controlling an unsafe House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the Cowley area of Oxford.

• Demolition of Lucy Faithful House commences

  Published: Monday, 16th April 2018

  The demolition of the former homeless shelter, Lucy Faithful House, to make way for housing development on the site has begun.

• Rogue landlord prosecuted for the second time in six months for HMO offences

  Published: Monday, 26th March 2018

  An Oxford landlord with a previous conviction for housing offences was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay the City Council £1,535 in costs when he appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 20 March 2018.

• Council activates emergency beds for rough sleepers due to freezing weather forecast

  Published: Thursday, 15th March 2018

  Oxford City Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers. This means that the council and local homelessness organisations will make extra bed spaces available for rough sleepers in the city from tomorrow night (Friday 16 March) until Monday morning.

• Oxford Student Union are working to improve renting for their students

  Published: Friday, 9th March 2018

  Oxford Student Union are collaborating with Marks Out Of Tenancy to help change the private rental experience for the better.

• City Council to consult on a new draft Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy 

  Published: Friday, 9th March 2018

  The City Council has developed a new draft Tenancy Strategy and Tenancy Policy 2018-2023 to replace the existing one which expires this year.

• Additional government grant award frees up extra City Council funding to support benefits and homelessness services

  Published: Friday, 16th February 2018

  In a last minute addition to its draft budget for 2018/19, Oxford City Council has been notified of an extra £193,000 in funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

• Social housing fraudster deprived those in genuine need

  Published: Monday, 12th February 2018

  Oxford City Council’s Investigation team provides tenancy fraud investigations on behalf of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White District Councils.

• Housing loans scheme for teachers up for review to improve take-up

  Published: Friday, 9th February 2018

  The City Council will consult with school heads over the coming weeks to review a housing loan scheme to help local teachers purchase homes in Oxford and continue working in the city.

• ​​​​​​​Oxford City Council secures £20m from Housing Infrastructure Fund bids  

  Published: Wednesday, 7th February 2018

  Three Oxford housing developments have been granted £19.84m of funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).

• Council activates emergency beds for rough sleepers due to severe weather forecast

  Published: Friday, 2nd February 2018

  As sub-zero overnight temperatures are forecast for Oxfordshire in the next week, Oxford City Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers.

• Council rent guarantee pilot scheme benefits landlords and tenants

  Published: Friday, 26th January 2018

  Oxford City Council has completed the first year of its pilot Rent Guarantee Scheme (RGS), with 40 tenancies already signed up to the scheme.

• Statement on national rough sleeping figures

  Published: Thursday, 25th January 2018

  Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing, said: “Rising homelessness is a national issue and the latest street count figures show the devastating impact of the housing crisis and the government’s austerity measures on the streets of our city.

• Executive Board recommends new housing and homelessness strategy

  Published: Wednesday, 24th January 2018

  At its meeting this week, Oxford City Council’s Executive Board recommended that the council adopts the new Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2018–2021, following six weeks of public consultation.

• Council begins re-cladding of Windrush and Evenlode tower blocks

  Published: Monday, 22nd January 2018

  The City Council has started the removal of the existing rain-screen cladding at Evenlode and Windrush towers in Blackbird Leys to make way for its replacement with improved non-combustible material.

• Council funds day services for rough sleepers

  Published: Monday, 22nd January 2018

  Oxford City Council spends more than £143,000 a year to help provide day services for rough sleepers in Oxford.

• Council activates emergency beds for rough sleepers due to severe weather

  Published: Wednesday, 27th December 2017

  As sub-zero overnight temperatures are forecast for Oxfordshire over the next few days, Oxford City Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers.

• Oxford City Council proposing to extend Syrian Refugee Housing Scheme

  Published: Tuesday, 19th December 2017

  Oxford City council is proposing to extend involvement with the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, Vulnerable Childrens Relocation Scheme and to approve involvement in Community Sponsorship.

• Council gains compulsory purchase order for property which has been unoccupied for 28 years

  Published: Tuesday, 19th December 2017

  The government has confirmed a compulsory purchase order (CPO) which will allow Oxford City Council to buy a Rose Hill property that has been empty since the death of its owner in 1989.

• Response to Homes4all - Lush announcement on housing the homeless in Cornmarket

  Published: Tuesday, 12th December 2017

  Statement from Oxford City Council in response to Homes4All-Lush announcement on housing homeless people in the former Lush shop on Cornmarket Street:

• Council extends emergency accommodation provision for rough sleepers due to severe weather

  Published: Monday, 11th December 2017

  With temperatures in Oxford due to fall to -9 this evening (Monday 11 December) and -3 on Tuesday night, Oxford City Council confirms it is extending its activation of its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers for at least two further nights.

• Council opens emergency accommodation for rough sleepers due to severe weather

  Published: Friday, 8th December 2017

  As snow and sub-zero overnight temperatures are forecast for Oxfordshire over the next few days, Oxford City Council has invoked its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers, in consultation with key local partners St Mungo’s and Homeless Oxfordshire (formerly Oxford Homeless Pathways).

• Rough Sleeping: The City Conversation

  Published: Tuesday, 28th November 2017

  Today more than 100 stakeholders met to discuss rough sleeping and homelessness in Oxford.

• Council invests millions improving estates and housing stock

  Published: Thursday, 23rd November 2017

  The City Council is investing over £3.68 million in the current financial year to improve its housing stock and residential estates, including replacing bathrooms and kitchens, providing new car and bike parking spaces, and communal gardens.

• City Council to host all-stakeholder City Conversation on rough sleeping and homelessness

  Published: Thursday, 23rd November 2017

  Oxford City Council will host a citywide ‘Conversation’ with a wide range of individuals and groups who have an interest in helping to find solutions to the increase in rough sleeping in the city.

• Council wins government funding to help communities receiving migrants

  Published: Thursday, 9th November 2017

  Oxford City Council has been successful in a bid for government funds to ease pressures on local education, health and housing services because of recent migration.

• ‘One-stop’ shop helpline available for Oxford residents to keep homes warm

  Published: Monday, 6th November 2017

  Residents in Oxford concerned about keeping warm in their homes this winter are being encouraged to contact the free helpline for advice.

• New Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptations Policy out for consultation

  Published: Tuesday, 31st October 2017

  Our Home Improvement Agency (HIA) has a new Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptations Policy now out for consultation.

• Oxford City Council agrees support to tackle rough sleeping

  Published: Monday, 23rd October 2017

  Oxford City Council has agreed up to £1.5 million in funding to support former rough sleepers in the city over the next six years.

• Barton hosts workshop for learning about building for a healthy environment

  Published: Friday, 20th October 2017

  On Thursday 28 September, 50 delegates from 20 organisations gathered in Barton to learn and understand what makes a healthy and viable housing development.

• Oxford landlord convicted of repeat HMO offences

  Published: Wednesday, 18th October 2017

  An Oxford landlord has been convicted for the second time in 12 months for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and ordered to pay a total of £6,146 in fines and costs. The investigation followed a fire in the house which had a faulty fire detection system.

• Council secures winter overnight accommodation for rough sleepers

  Published: Tuesday, 17th October 2017

  Oxford City Council has secured overnight accommodation for rough sleepers over the winter months.

• Council works with landlords to bring empty homes back into use

  Published: Monday, 16th October 2017

  Oxford City Council is marking National Empty Homes Week (16 to 22 October 2017) with a call to all Oxford landlords to help bring more empty properties back into use.

• Oxford City Council plans to improve standards in the private rented sector

  Published: Monday, 16th October 2017

  Oxford City Council has announced plans to tackle poor housing conditions in the private rented sector.

• City Council supports study into community-led affordable housing delivery

  Published: Thursday, 5th October 2017

  The City Council is supporting research by Community First Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Community Land Trust and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation to explore options on how community housing could be delivered sustainably within Oxford.

• Blackbird Leys regeneration to deliver 300 new homes

  Published: Thursday, 5th October 2017

  Oxford City Council has announced it expects to deliver around 300 new homes as part of the regeneration of Blackbird Leys district centre, a significant proportion of which will be affordable.

• Oxfordshire Growth Board backs infrastructure funding bid to support garden towns and villages

  Published: Friday, 29th September 2017

  The Oxfordshire Growth Board has provided unanimous support for an application to the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).

• Architectural students from twinned city of Grenoble visit Barton housing development

  Published: Monday, 25th September 2017

  Architectural students from Oxford’s twinned city of Grenoble in France have visited Barton to learn how new housing developments can encourage healthy lifestyles.

• Oxford HMO landlord fined £7000 for housing offences

  Published: Tuesday, 19th September 2017

  In two legal cases taken by Oxford City Council a landlord has been fined a total of £7,298 for operating an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Oxford that was home to three people with disabilities.

• Council reduces number of people in temporary accommodation to record low

  Published: Thursday, 14th September 2017

  Only 87 households were in temporary accommodation in and around Oxford at the end of August this year, down from 96 recorded at the end of March 2017, and the lowest it has been for over 20 years.

• Council to boost affordable homes development

  Published: Monday, 11th September 2017

  Thousands of affordable homes are in the pipeline for construction in Oxford over the next few years, with Oxford City Council trebling its direct contribution to new build through its new Housing Company.

• Statement regarding Windrush and Evenlode cladding

  Published: Thursday, 3rd August 2017

  Oxford City Council confirms it will proceed with the replacement of the rain-screen cladding on Evenlode and Windrush Towers, following the outcome of the Government’s latest large-scale tests.

• Update on Oxford City Council Tower Blocks

  Published: Tuesday, 18th July 2017

  The Government has written to councils with revised guidance over the safety of aluminium composite (ACM) rain-screen cladding and announcing a new programme of large-scale testing.

• Council takes precaution to replace cladding on Evenlode and Windrush towers

  Published: Monday, 26th June 2017

  The City Council will replace the rain-screen cladding on Evenlode and Windrush Towers with improved non-combustible material in line with the requirements of the new central government guidance.

• Statement regarding cladding used on Oxford's tower blocks

  Published: Friday, 16th June 2017

  The following statement is a response to specific questions from residents about the type of cladding and insulation used on Oxford City Council's five tower blocks.

• Oxford landlord fined for letting unlawfully sub-divided, poorly managed property 

  Published: Monday, 15th May 2017

  In the first prosecution of its kind in the city, a landlord of unlawfully converted flats has been convicted of managing an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in a case heard before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on 11 April 2017.

• Rogue landlords to face tougher crackdown under new rules

  Published: Monday, 15th May 2017

  Oxford City Council has welcomed new powers recently announced by the government to help crackdown on rogue landlords that flout the rules and improve safety and affordability for renters.

• Council to seek development partner for Blackbird Leys regeneration

  Published: Friday, 28th April 2017

  The City Council has appointed property consultants CBRE to go to the market in the next couple of months to seek a development partner for the regeneration of Blackbird Leys district centre.

• Tower blocks residents to get free digital technology lessons

  Published: Thursday, 16th March 2017

  The City Council and its tower blocks repairs project contractor Fortem have launched Smart4Life Day, a free event to encourage local residents to familiarise themselves with digital technology.

• Council maintains commitment to homelessness prevention with £1.7 million budget approval

  Published: Wednesday, 15th March 2017

  The City Council will continue to maintain its support for services that work to prevent homelessness as well as assisting people off the streets and into accommodation. 

• The easy way to book repairs

  Published: Monday, 30th January 2017

  There is now a quick, simple and more convenient way for people who rent their homes from Oxford City Council to arrange a repair for their properties – online through a new area on the City Council’s website: Repair My House.

• Improvements made to flats and car parks as Barton regeneration gathers pace 

  Published: Tuesday, 24th January 2017

  The City Council has carried out improvement works on flats in Stowford Road and Bayswater Road and also refurbished several car parks in Barton as part of its £3.9 million ‘Investing in Barton’ regeneration programme.

• Tower blocks contractor changes name as improvement works progress

  Published: Thursday, 12th January 2017

  Willmott Dixon Energy Services Limited, the City Council’s contractor on the £20 million tower blocks refurbishment project, has changed its name to Fortem with effect from 3 January 2017. 

• Oxfordshire’s city and district councils win £790,000 to help tackle homelessness

  Published: Wednesday, 21st December 2016

  Oxfordshire’s city and district councils have won £790,000 of government funding to help tackle homelessness across the county.

• Oxford landlord fined £9,000 for housing offences

  Published: Thursday, 15th December 2016

  An Oxford landlord was convicted of multiple housing offences when her case was heard before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 13 December 2016.

• Oxford marks National Empty Homes Week

  Published: Friday, 2nd December 2016

  Figures released by the City Council to coincide with Empty Homes Week show that Oxford has 505 empty dwellings, with 247 having been empty for more than six months while 76 have been unoccupied for more than two years.

• Street count confirms rough-sleeping remains a challenge in Oxford

  Published: Tuesday, 29th November 2016

  Rough-sleeping continues to be a serious challenge in Oxford. 

• House-building on the rise in Oxford

  Published: Wednesday, 23rd November 2016

  House-building in Oxford improved significantly over the past year, rising to 383 new homes completed from 332 in 2014/2015.

• City Council agrees pooled budget arrangement for adult homeless housing in Oxfordshire

  Published: Monday, 19th September 2016

  The City Council will enter into a pooled budget arrangement with partners across the county to fund adult homeless supported accommodation in Oxfordshire.

• Launch event marks start of repairs at Hockmore Tower

  Published: Monday, 8th August 2016

  An event to mark the start of repairs at Hockmore Tower under Oxford City Council’s £20 million tower blocks repairs project will be held at TheVenue@Cowley on Barns Road from 3-6pm on Tuesday 2016.

• Three Oxford landlords fined £11,000 for housing offences

  Published: Monday, 25th July 2016

  Three Oxford landlords were fined a total of £11,000 after being convicted of housing offences when their cases were heard before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 18 July 2016.

• Survey shows more residents satisfied with their neighbourhood

  Published: Thursday, 7th July 2016

  Oxford City Council’s programme to improve its housing estates is making a positive impact on communities, with more residents reporting satisfaction with their neighbourhood.

• Repairs gather pace at Blackbird Leys tower blocks

  Published: Wednesday, 22nd June 2016

  High level works have started at Evenlode and Windrush towers in Blackbird Leys as preparations to commence repairs at Hockmore Tower in Cowley gather pace.

• Rogue landlord ordered to refund £2,934 in rent to tenants

  Published: Wednesday, 15th June 2016

  A legal tribunal has ruled that an Oxford landlord must refund his tenants rent totalling £2,934 because he housed them in unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

• Oxford HMO landlord fined £11,135 for housing offences

  Published: Tuesday, 14th June 2016

  In a prosecution taken by Oxford City Council, the landlord of an unlicensed HMO was ordered to pay fines of £9,390 and costs of £1,745.

• Oxford City Council concerned with obstacles to provision of affordable homes

  Published: Friday, 13th May 2016

  The Court of Appeal has restored a ministerial statement which excludes sites of 10 or fewer homes or 1,000m2 and less from making affordable housing contributions.

• Oxpens development a step closer as City Council and Nuffield College sign historic deal

  Published: Tuesday, 29th March 2016

  The Council and Nuffield College have formed a joint venture company to bring together the land in the Oxpens area in preparation for a comprehensive redevelopment of the site.

• Oxford landlord ordered to pay over £25,000 for housing offences

  Published: Tuesday, 29th March 2016

  An Oxford landlord was fined £21,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,869 for renting out houses in multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence when he appeared before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Mon

• City Council to set up housing company to deliver affordable homes

  Published: Friday, 18th March 2016

  Oxford City Council will set up a housing company to deliver new affordable homes with a range of tenures to help address the city’s acute housing need.

• Oxford City Council agrees £1.4m to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping

  Published: Wednesday, 16th March 2016

  Oxford City Council agrees £1.4m to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping in the city.

• Tower blocks leaseholders notified of details of repair works and costs

  Published: Monday, 11th January 2016

  Leaseholders in Oxford’s five tower blocks have been given details of the proposed repair works in their specific blocks.

• Council offers help to access advice on mortgage, debt and housing options

  Published: Wednesday, 30th December 2015

  Avoid a financial hangover this Christmas with advice from Oxford City Council’s homelessness and debt advice services.

• Unlicensed HMO landlord fined nearly £18,000

  Published: Tuesday, 22nd December 2015

  An Oxford landlord was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,692 for renting out four unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO) when he appeared before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

• Newly redeveloped Bradlands housing scheme for older people opens

  Published: Thursday, 10th December 2015

  Oxford East Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Andrew Smith, will officially open the newly redeveloped Bradlands sheltered housing scheme for older residents at 12.30pm on Friday 11 December 2015.

• Number of empty homes in Oxford declines

  Published: Friday, 4th December 2015

  Figures released by the City Council to coincide with Empty Homes Week have revealed a 67 per cent drop in the number of properties that are unoccupied in Oxford.

• Rose Hill housing development information session

  Published: Friday, 30th October 2015

  Rose Hill residents will be able to get their first look at a proposed housing development on the current community centre site next week.

• Government starter homes policy will mean fewer affordable homes for Oxford

  Published: Wednesday, 7th October 2015

  The Prime Minister's announcement on starter homes will mean fewer affordable homes for rent for people and families on the lowest incomes in Oxford, City Council Leader Councillor Bob Price has said.

• Government's housing proposals risk undermining council's future investment programme

  Published: Thursday, 10th September 2015

  Oxford City Council leaders have expressed serious concern about the potential impact of the Government's proposed changes to housing legislation on the Council’s future investment programme.

• Willmott Dixon proposed as contractor for Oxford tower blocks refurbishment

  Published: Tuesday, 18th August 2015

  Oxford City Council is proposing to appoint Willmott Dixon Energy Services Ltd to undertake the £20m refurbishment of its five high rise residential tower blocks.

Sub–categories of Housing

• Homelessness
• Private Housing
• Council Housing
• Finding a Home
• Tower Blocks Refurbishment

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