AN ELECTIONS hustings focusing on Oxford’s housing crisis is due to take place tonight.

It will give candidates standing in Oxford West and Abingdon and those standing in Oxford East a chance to debate the issue, organisers said.

A report published in 2014 found the city needed an extra 28,000 new homes to be built between 2011 and 2031 to meet demand.

However, since then only about 1,000 have been built – less than the amount needed in just one year alone.

The hustings has been organised by the Oxford Fairer Housing Network. In a statement organisers said: “We have pulled together a hustings to give citizens across Oxford the chance to ask the candidates what steps they will take to improve the housing situation in our city.

“Candidates have been invited to discuss the state of housing in Oxford. This is a platform for the candidates to describe how they will ensure this city thrives through taking action for the social, environmental and economic well-being of future generations.”

All of the candidates due to stand in Oxford East are currently set to attend the hustings. They are Conservative Suzanne Bartington, the Green Party’s Larry Sanders, independent Chaka Artwell, Labour’s Anneliese Dodds and Liberal Democrat Kirsten Johnson.

Jayne Woodley chief executive of Oxfordshire Community Foundation, is due to chair the debate.

Topics set to be discussed include affordability, community-led housing and rising house prices.