The South and Vale Housing Story 1990s to today

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils’ Joint Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2028 includes the aim of decreasing the use of hotels and B&Bs as emergency accommodation by increasing the amount of council properties.

Earlier this decade the councils became social landlords for the first time since 1997.  With the help of government funding, South and Vale have acquired 81 homes (56 in South Oxfordshire and 25 in the Vale)*. 

We continue to do everything we can to help and welcome people displaced by war and persecution and provide sanctuary. 

Since 2020 the councils have participated in a number of resettlement schemes for people who have found themselves homeless due to war and other conflict. These include UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP), Afghan citizens resettlement scheme (ACRS) and Homes for Ukraine. 

Many households who fled the war in Ukraine have been permanently accommodated in homes in South and Vale area via Homes for Ukrainbe.  The councils have also used the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) to obtain housing for families from Afghanistan.

*Correct as of September 2026