Affordable Housing in rural Oxfordshire

Why is there a need for affordable housing in Steeple Aston? The average price for a semi-detached house in Steeple Aston is £353,000. That is 60% higher than the national average. Information from (Oct-Dec 2006)

Why is there a need for affordable housing in Steeple Aston? To buy this 3 bedroom semi-detached house in Steeple Aston (currently on the market for £319,950) you would typically need a deposit of 5% and may be offered a mortgage of four times your annual household salary. You would need a deposit of £16,000 and an annual income of nearly £80,000! This is way beyond the reach of many first time buyers, especially those with a single income. (January 2008)

Why is there a need for affordable housing in Steeple Aston? Households in housing need All ages e.g. First time buyers, older people wanting to downsize, separated households, tied workers, private renters,employees, relatives needing to give or receive support, older children who have already left parish and wish to return…. Households remaining in parish who are dependant on receiving or giving support Vital village services and voluntary organisations Community spirit through social contact

Rent or part buy (shared ownership) Rural Exception Sites * has to be a proven local need * site cannot conflict with other policies in the local plan Land Values 106 Agreement * legal document agreeing to allocate homes to people with a local connection where possible, in perpetuity * No right to buy permitted (for rented properties) and limit to staircasing (for shared ownership properties) What is Affordable Housing?

…a compromise in quality Great importance is placed on the use of locally distinctive designs and materials which are sympathetic to the local environment. Police Architectural Liaison Officers help us to achieve Secure by Design accreditation, thereby providing safer communities for residents. All new homes seek to achieve a ‘Very Good’ Eco rating with the added benefit of reducing fuel bills for residents. Affordable Housing is not…

Examples of Affordable Housing in rural Oxfordshire

Affordable Housing is not… …a ‘dumping ground’ for the council to house families from towns and cities that don’t have a local connection to the village The District Council require that at least one of the following criteria must be met in order to be considered eligible… applicant to have lived in the parish for 5 out of the last 8 years applicant’s parent or child to be currently resident in the parish, and to have at least 10 years continuous residence applicant to have worked full time for 2 years in the parish, or equivalent in part time (this may include voluntary work), and there is evidence of continuing commitment to work in the parish.

Process of Developing a Rural Exception site Housing Needs Survey Site appraisals (comments from planners and highways) Obtain landowner agreement Site layout drawn up (often public consultation) Planning Application submitted Homes are built by O.R.H.P developers Homes allocated by District Council Ongoing management obligation by Housing Association

What the residents say… I have lovely rural views, friendly neighbours and I feel safe in my new home. Our close has lovely residents who appreciate how lucky we are to live here! The boys will be the 13 th generation to live in this village. They enjoy the sense of belonging. We all know each other, most of us have grown up together. We are a close community through friendships. It’s great that village people can return to the place they grew up and be near their relatives.