Horsham District Council, working in partnership with Saxon Weald, is set to deliver new social rented homes in Cowfold, West Sussex.
The new development will provide a total of eight homes, comprising four one-bedroom and four two-bedroom properties, which will be available to rent for local people on the housing register.
As a result of this close partnership work and with the support of grant funding from Section 106 new development contributions, the Council is significantly increasing the availability of affordable social rented housing for residents across the Horsham District, ensuring that homes remain accessible to those in greatest need.
Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities Cllr Belinda Walters commented: “Everyone deserves a place to call home, one that’s safe, secure and supports their wellbeing. Yet many of our residents still struggle to afford a home in our district.
“Our new forward-looking Housing and Homelessness Strategy aims to deliver more affordable homes in our District, so fewer people need to stay in short-term housing and to prevent homelessness.
“That’s why we continue to work hard with our partners to make this a reality – something that we are proud to have delivered here in Cowfold.
“These new homes are for social rent, with the rents set at around 50% of market rent, an amount that is often simply unaffordable for some.
As a Council we are committed to finding ways to build more social rent homes wherever we can. I can’t wait for local families to move in and see these new homes begin to make a real difference in their lives.
The Council formally adopted its new Housing and Homelessness Strategy for 2026 to 2030 in January 2026 and it officially came into force on 1st April.
The new strategy, called Homes for Tomorrow, sets out the aims and objectives of how the Council will prevent and relieve homelessness and deliver more affordable homes for residents of Horsham District over the next four years.
The strategy focusses on:
- Aiming to reduce rough sleeping numbers
- Aiming to prevent homelessness with early interventions before it becomes an emergency
- Reducing reliance on temporary accommodation
- Ensuring the Housing Register remains fair, transparent, and accessible
- Helping people live independently
- Delivering more affordable homes that meet community needs across the Horsham District.
The strategy will be reviewed every year to ensure it is responding to ever changing resident needs, changes in government policy and the overall affordable housing sector.