Select Committee on Affordable Housing

The Partnership felt that there was a need to explore the issue of affordable housing outside the constraints of traditional policy development. The Partnership has, therefore, held an Independent Affordable Housing Select Committee that looked at the following question: How do we increase the amount of truly affordable housing in Oxford?

The Chair and Panel

Elizabeth Paris chaired the Select Committee. After 20 years as an investment banker, Elizabeth has for the last five years focused on more local issues through Common Purpose, a number of local board positions, and as an Associate Fellow at the Oxford University Said Business School.

Elizabeth was supported by a panel made up of Peter Sloman (Chief Executive, Oxford City Council), Joanna Simons (Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council), Paul Abey (Head of Investment, South East, Housing Corporation), Michael Crofton-Briggs (Head of City Development, Oxford City Council) and Chris Woolf (Thames Valley Housing and Planning Team Leader, Government Office for the South East).

Process

The first step was to gather facts, views, ideas and solutions. This information was then brought together and discussed in more depth by the Chair, Panel and key stakeholders. The Select Committee met three times in May and June 2008.

Report and Recommendations

A report of findings and recommendations was presented and adopted at the Oxford Strategic Partnership meeting in September 2008. The findings have formed the basis for an action plan that will be overseen by the OSP.

To download the report click here.