Oldham Housing Roundtable unveils plans for 500 fresh social homes, offering a solution to the pressing housing crisis

Oldham Council has made a commitment to construct 500 new social homes in the borough over the next five years. The announcement was made at the council’s first-ever Housing Roundtable event, which took place at Oldham Civic Centre. The event was attended by representatives from social housing providers, private landlords, developers, and charities. Together, they discussed the housing crisis in Oldham and explored ways to address it collaboratively. Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of the Council, emphasized the urgent need for action, highlighting the impact of right to buy policies and the rising cost of living on local residents. The roundtable also examined national issues related to housing supply, including the lack of government funding for social homes and the decline in the number of affordable housing options. The event featured personal stories from members of the Oldham Poverty Truth Commission, who shared their experiences of navigating the social housing system. The roundtable concluded with a commitment from various stakeholders to improve housing standards and work towards finding local solutions to the national housing crisis. Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, expressed her pride in the plan to build 500 additional social homes, stating that it is a significant step in the right direction. The council aims to continue collaborating with partners to overcome the housing crisis in Oldham as quickly as possible. For more information and housing support, visit the Oldham Council website.