In June, the council declared a housing emergency due to a number of factors including increasing house price inflation, increased construction prices, reduced household incomes and a shrinking private rental sector driving up private rents.

Feedback from the survey will help inform the council on how to tackle the housing emergency and how housing shortages affect lives, livelihoods and communities across Argyll and Bute.

Working with partner organisations such as housing associations, the council is taking forward a range of activities in the short and long-term to target action. A housing summit is taking place in November for organisations to come together to look at options for improving housing options across Argyll and Bute.

Councillor Robin Currie, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “We know that if action is not taken to address housing shortages, it could have a serious impact on local households, communities, public services and Argyll and Bute’s economy.

“We are already working hard to deliver a variety of initiatives to address the issue but we need to do more working with both the private and public sector.

“There is no quick fix to addressing the issues in Argyll and Bute. By declaring a housing emergency, it helps to raise the issue at a local and national level and focus our resources to deliver long-term solutions. This is an important opportunity for local residents and communities to have a voice in tackling the housing emergency and we are very keen to hear your views.”

The survey takes no more than five minutes to complete and closes on 31st October 2023.