Oxford City Council has raised serious concerns over new government figures indicating a significant decline in social housing lettings within the district, claiming the metrics may not accurately reflect the local situation. According to data released this month by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Levelling Up, the number of households securing social home tenancies in Oxford has halved over the last decade, falling from 1,042 homes allocated during the 2013/14 fiscal year to just 514 last year.
Contrary to these government statistics, officials at Oxford City Council argue their records tell a different story. "Our records show we allocated or relet 517 properties... This compares with 558 in 2023/24," said a spokesperson for the council, indicating they have consistently met or slightly exceeded their own letting figures. They contend the government figures are misleading, as they include various types of housing not directly related to social homes.
Social housing lettings refer to homes provided by social landlords—typically local councils or housing associations—that offer lower-cost rents compared to the private market. The government data incorporates general needs housing, which is not designated for specific groups, along with supported housing aimed at elderly or disabled tenants. This broad classification raises questions about the precision of the figures, with the council expressing concern over the inclusion of temporary accommodations or hostel data from past records.
The backdrop of this dispute highlights the urgent need for affordable housing across England, with the overall number of new social housing lettings dropping by more than one-third during the last decade. The statistics reported suggest the total count plunged from 396,000 new lettings in 2013/14 to just 261,000 last year, spotlighting the deepening housing crisis. Despite the dwindling figures, Oxford remains one of the few districts retaining ownership of its public housing, with nearly 8,000 council houses still managed by the city council.
According to Dr. Maya Singer Hobbs, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research, the evidence of unmet demand for social homes is compelling. "Social homes must play a key role... there is no other way to meet the target of 300,000 homes per year," she stated, underscoring the function social housing serves within the broader housing framework. Dr. Hobbs reminded observers of the historical significance of councils contributing to the housing stock, noting, "The last time many homes were built was in the 1960s, when almost half were constructed by councils." Currently, about 1.3 million individuals find themselves on waiting lists for social homes, emphasizing the dire circumstances facing communities throughout the nation.
Responding to the mounting criticisms and challenges posed by the housing crisis, government representatives acknowledged the situation worsened due to decades of insufficient building. The spokesperson emphasized, “We have inherited the worst housing crisis... the only way to meet the demand for social homes is to build more of them.” Their commitment includes striving for the most substantial increase in affordable and social housebuilding seen in generations, aiming to combat homelessness compounded by factors like no-fault evictions.
On the political front, Labour leader Kier Starmer has already articulated ambitious goals for local planning authorities, proposing nearly 1,000 new homes for each district within Oxfordshire. To support this push, additional funding for councils and the introduction of extra planning officers are proposed, with Starmer declaring, "Providing homes must be the top priority for the planning system." This commitment aims to address the overarching needs of families—a demand heightened by the local waitlist of over 3,000 households seeking council housing.
Local authorities across England are rallying to play their part amid these worrying trends. Oxford City Council has made moves to alleviate the pressure by establishing Ox Place, its dedicated housing company focused on generating more affordable housing solutions. This initiative plans to develop 2,000 new homes across the region, with more than half designated for shared ownership.
The importance of addressing the social housing shortfall is underscored by both government and council assertions, as they grapple with the economic repercussions of inadequate housing. The stark reality is clear: the demand for affordable, safe housing continues to outpace supply, highlighting the necessity for transparent statistics and accountable actions to meet the needs of residents. For those on the waiting lists, the urgency is palpable, raising questions about the efficacy of current policies and the commitment to resolving a crisis decades in the making.
