Oxford to invest £32m for homeless families
Oxford City Council plans a major financial commitment in its new four-year strategy.
Oxford City Council has unveiled its Budget for 2026/27 to 2029/30, which includes a significant £32m to expand the city’s temporary accommodation stock and plans to deliver 1,305 new affordable homes.
The proposals, set to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (10 December), form part of a broader investment strategy to support vulnerable families, improve housing capacity, and save long-term costs.
As part of the Budget, the Council aims to acquire up to 260 additional homes for residents needing temporary accommodation.
Increasing the city’s temporary accommodation from 200 homes today to 560 homes by 2028/29 will allow the Council to reduce its reliance on hotel-based stays, saving an estimated £14.5m annually by 2029/30.
Temporary accommodation provides support for families at risk of homelessness due to factors such as rising rents or relationship breakdowns. Currently, 309 households are housed in temporary setups, including those in hotels and B&Bs.
Oxford City Council has allocated £385.6m to create 1,305 affordable homes over the next six years, with approximately 900 of these new council homes. The remaining homes will include shared ownership and other affordable options.
This investment would expand the Council’s housing capacity to around 9,000 council homes by 2032.
The Budget also earmarks £1m for roof repairs at Oxford Ice Rink and plans to reintroduce a creche at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.
To support these investments, Council Tax is set to increase by 2.99% for the 2025/26 financial year.
For a Band D property, this would mean an annual charge of £367.38, equivalent to £7.07 per week. Oxford City Council remains committed to providing full Council Tax discounts for residents on the lowest incomes.
Since 2025, double Council Tax has been applied to second homes and properties left empty for extended periods in Oxford.
Income generation underpins part of the Council’s plans through its two companies – ODS and OX Place.
Known as the ‘Oxford Model’, these companies are projected to contribute £12.6m to funding frontline services over the next four years.
ODS generates revenue by providing services beyond standard municipal operations, while OX Place builds homes for council use and open market sales.
The proposals will be reviewed during the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 10th December.