SOUTH Gloucestershire Council chiefs are seeking people's views on a new housing blueprint to meet the needs of local people from 2008 until 2013.

The consultation, which runs until March 1 next year, is an opportunity for residents to give their views on what the council believes are the housing priorities for the next five years.

The priorities emerged from an engagement exercise which included a project team, a group of service users, a viewpoint panel survey and focus groups involving chief officers and senior staff, as well as a peer review of housing services.

These priorities, which are available in the consultation document entitled "Better Housing, Better Choice, Better Support Meeting the Needs of People in South Gloucestershire", are: *Accessing high quality public services *Meeting the need for sustainable, affordable housing *Ensuring people in rural communities can meet their housing needs *Improving the condition of houses in South Gloucestershire *Maximising people's ability to live independently by reaching out to those in housing need *Reducing homelessness The views of residents will help to shape the council's final housing strategy, taking into account issues such as population growth, high house prices and demand for affordable housing and the transfer of housing stock to Merlin Housing Society and the council no longer acting as a landlord.

Cllr Matthew Riddle, executive member for community care and housing, said they were keen to hear people's views on the priority list.

"There are particular challenges facing South Gloucestershire around housing, such as population growth, high house prices and providing affordable housing," he said.

"However, I believe that our draft housing strategy sets out how we are planning to meet these challenges and the views of residents will be very important and useful in helping to shape this document."

Public consultation events that have been planned for before Christmas include an information stand at Yate Shopping Centre next Tuesday (10am-2pm) and a drop-in session at the council offices in Castle Street, Thornbury, on Tuesday, December 11 (5pm-8pm).

Future events are planned in 2008 and details will be published in due course.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of the consultation document, contact the planning and partnerships team on 01454 86 5577 or 2357.

People can give their comments on the draft housing strategy by emailing housingstrategy@consultations.southglos.gov.uk.

Phone message can also be left on 01454 862356 and text messages (up to 160 characters) on 07950 080111.