A study is being carried out in a bid to address the gap between housing affordability and income.

Adur District Council has sent out questionnaires to 9,000 random households to find out what people think of the housing situation in the area and how they see their needs changing in the next five years.

Average full-time earnings in Adur last year were £21,346 but one in five people earn under £13,500 per annum. The average price of a flat during 2002 was more than £80,000.

The council is especially interested in people who may wish to leave home but who feel they cannot afford to.

The survey, being conducted by David Couttie Associates, will help shape future housing and planning policies. Questionnaires must be returned by March 25 and a report on the findings will be ready in May.

Community Services chairman Paul Graysmark said: "We really hope our residents will respond well to this survey.

"We know we need more affordable housing. What we need to know is how much and the ways in which demand doesn't match supply.

"A good response to this survey is necessary to help us obtain government subsidies and negotiate with developers to get the right sorts of homes for the people of Adur."