An overview of the CDC Housing Register at 1 April 2025
How we influence new affordable housing development in 2025/26.
We plan to influence new affordable housing delivery in 2025/26 by seeking to secure the following mix of rented affordable housing on new build development, in line with the Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042:
- 1 bed: 25 to 30%
- 2 bed: 25 to 30%
- 3 bed: 30 to 35%
- 4 bed+: 15 to 20%
Housing Register
2,762 applications were submitted during 2024/25, a 4% decrease on 2023/24.
The total number of applications on the housing register at the end of the year was 2,183 which is a 12% increase from 1,944 in 2023/24:
- 235 Band 1 (urgent need)
- 753 Band 2 (significant need)
- 398 Band 3 (moderate need)
- 796 Band 4 (low need)
Top 3 reasons for applying
The Top 3 main reasons for applying were the same top 3 as in 2023/24, however the portion of applicants stating that they were homeless increased, becoming the second most common reason for applying for housing in 2024/25.
A need for a larger home remained the most common reason for applying for housing.
Those citing health reasons, financial issues and a need for affordable accommodation were less common in 2024/25 than in 2023/24.
| Reason | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 Overcrowded | 475 | 409 |
| No.2 Homeless | 259 | 269 |
| No.3 Health reasons | 281 | 221 |
Size of homes let by band
Most homes during 2024/25 were allocated to applicants in Band 2. Due to the short supply of 4-bed homes, there were no 4-bed homes allocated to applicants in Bands 3 or 4.
The vast majority of family-sized homes were allocated to applicants in Bands 1 and 2.
| Band | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 | 28 | 19 | 6 |
| 2 | 113 | 136 | 70 | 8 |
| 3 | 14 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Size of homes required
Those needing 1-bedroom homes make up the highest number of total applications on the housing register at the end of 2024/25.
However, there is a more even spread of sizes required from those with an identified housing need (Bands 1-3).
| Bedrooms | All bands | Bands 1 to 3 only |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 933 | 537 |
| 2 bed | 701 | 400 |
| 3 bed | 380 | 299 |
| 4 bed | 169 | 150 |
| Total | 2,183 | 1,944 |
Lettings
450 homes were let through CDC’s housing register during 2024/25, 96 fewer than in 2023/24.
When compared with the total number of applicants with an identified housing need (Bands 1-3), these homes met only a small percentage of the overall need.
As in 2023/24, there was a particular shortage of 4-bed+ homes which met only 9% of the total number of applicants who need these larger homes.
Average waiting times
Of all applicants who accepted an offer of housing during 2024/25, those who secured a 4-bedroom home waited by far the longest, waiting on average 735 days.
| Number of bedrooms | Average waiting time (days) |
|---|---|
| 1 bed | 353 days |
| 2 bed | 263 days |
| 3 bed | 494 days |
| 4 bed | 735 days |
Accessible housing
Whilst most applicants who required accessible housing required 1-bed homes, there is a significant minority of applicants who require adapted family homes, including those who need 3-bed and 4-beds.
These larger accessible homes are in short supply.
| Number of Bedrooms | Neeed for ground floor | Level access shower | Fully wheelchair accessible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 148 | 149 | 10 |
| 2 bed | 29 | 17 | 6 |
| 3 bed | 13 | 15 | 3 |
| 4 bed+ | 1 | 11 | 2 |