A draft local housing strategy for the Vale sets out the way forward to find solutions and look for opportunities.

It considers what the district's housing and communities should be like in three years time if they are to match the aspirations and needs of local people.

It is recognised that affordable housing is not just a local problem but a national one too, but the council is determined to face the challenges and address the needs of residents.

The draft plan includes a list of aims that the council wants to meet. Emphasis is on making sure there is enough affordable housing, preventing homelessness and improving the council's housing service.

Other priorities are meeting the needs of vulnerable people, working with housing partners to provide high quality homes for Aylesbury Vale residents as well as making sure homes are an integral part of community regeneration.

Residents, public sector agencies and private sector landlords have until 16 April to let housing officers know their views on the strategy. Comments received as a result of the consultation will be considered before the final version of the plan is produced later this year.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "Good quality accessible housing is a fundamental requirement for a prosperous and thriving community. The housing strategy is an essential tool for tackling housing issues in the Vale and there is still a lot of hard work to do. The success of the strategy will depend on ensuring that our partners, stakeholders and members of the community let us know their views as we prepare this important document. We hope as many people as possible will tell us what they think."

Copies of the housing strategy are available from AVDC's High Street offices in Aylesbury. For more information, or to request a copy, call 01296 585881 or eimail housingneeds@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk