The Executive Director (Communities and People) has submitted a report to provide an update on the progress made in Year 1 of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 and to seek approval for the implementation of the Year 2 action plan.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.       Note the progress made in Year 1 to implement the Housing, Homelessness, and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan and the emerging risks and challenges for delivery over next year and beyond;

2.       Approve the adoption of the new strategy Action Plan for 24-25; and

3.       Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to update the Action Plan when required.

The Executive Director (Communities and People) had submitted a report to provide an update on the progress made in Year 1 of the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 and to seek approval for the implementation of the Year 2 action plan.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, presented the report and outlined the progress which had been made against the five strategy priorities over the year.  Officers commented that one of the more significant updates to the Year 2 action plan had been to try to capture the risks and challenges of rising homelessness levels and transformation of rough sleeping services, and the cost inflation associated with the growing demand.  Other challenges included competing demands for investment in housing stock, and growing expectations from tenants and central government.

A Cabinet Member highlighted the achievements of the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, and agreements with the three District Councils on the allocation of social housing for Oxford’s Unmet Need, in delivering affordable homes.  It was suggested that the action plan should seek to continue to publicise this as a priority.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Note the progress made in Year 1 to implement the Housing, Homelessness, and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan and the emerging risks and challenges for delivery over next year and beyond;

2.       Approve the adoption of the new strategy Action Plan for 24-25; and

3.       Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to update the Action Plan when required.