Survey gives opportunity to have a say on housing policy

Questionnaires are being sent out to more than 44,000 addresses, to test the opinions of the Wearside community over the next fortnight.

It is seeking the views of residents and tenants in both private and public housing sectors over the future accommodation needs in the Sunderland City Council area.

The survey covers a cross-section of addresses, taking in the new town area of Washington, the former coalfield communities around Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton-le-Hole, plus Sunderland itself.

There is also an online version of the question sheet, to enable those not included in the postal survey to take part.

Given the logistics of such a widespread public consultation exercise, such a survey is only carried out every five or six years.

The results are expected to prove valuable in helping to determine future housing policy.

It will also provide data for the city's housing strategy and local development framework.

The council's head of housing, Alan Caddick, said: "The council needs the help of our residents in this district-wide housing needs survey.

"It is canvassing opinions on the type of housing people are living in, and the type of housing they would like to see provided in the future to make it an even better place in which people work, study and raise a family.

"The questionnaires will be landing on the doormats of a randomly selected cross-section of people over the next two weeks.

"We would encourage everyone who receives one to complete it and return it, freepost.

"Those who don't receive it through the post can still take part on-line.

"It will only take about ten to 15 minutes to complete.

"The results of the survey, and views expressed by our residents as a whole, are hugely important to us in understanding housing needs and influencing future housing policy."

Further information is available from the authority's housing strategy team, on 0191-553-1719.

Access the survey online at www.sunderlandsurvey2007.info