Cyngor Gwynedd is extending its housing action plan for two more years.

The local authority is pledging to develop an extra 450 homes as part of the scheme aimed at tackling the county's housing shortage.

The council is aiming to build over 2,000 homes by the end of the decade, with £190 million invested and over 17,000 people receiving support.

Council chiefs say the two-year extension, agreed by the cabinet, follows changes to the housing situation, the needs of Gwynedd's population and financial sources over recent years.

Cllr Paul Rowlinson, cabinet member for housing, said: "The housing action plan outlines our commitment to provide high quality affordable homes for the people of Gwynedd. I welcome the fact that, by extending the plan, we can now provide 450 additional homes for local residents."

"We fully recognise the challenges facing the people of the county - including an ongoing housing crisis in Gwynedd, as in other counties, and the cost of living which has skyrocketed over the last few years."

"In order to address these challenges, the housing plan continues to be a dynamic, evolving strategy. We have set clear priorities, such as increasing the supply of homes for local people, tackling homelessness and helping the people of the county get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis and fuel poverty."

"Safe, stable and affordable housing is the foundation for healthy and happy lives. Our aim is to ensure that the residents of Gwynedd have access to homes that are truly affordable, in their local area – and our housing action plan is the guide to make this a reality."

Up to now, more than 800 new homes have been built and the scheme has supported nearly 9,000 people in Gwynedd.

Since its launch, over £10.5 million has been invested in the plan from the council tax premium on second homes and empty properties.

Key projects include building more affordable housing, buying properties to let to local people, bringing empty houses back into use, and developing supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

Council leader Nia Jeffreys said: "I see the impact of the housing crisis on a daily basis in Gwynedd, with families in emergency accommodation, young people unable to afford their first home and people waiting far too long for social housing in their communities."

"Tackling the crisis requires firm and effective action in Westminster, the Welsh Government and at local level."

"The council has worked hard over the past few years to try to meet the need for affordable homes in the county, and this updated plan is a significant step forward."

"It includes bringing empty houses back into use, buying properties to let to local people, and providing a variety of support to households experiencing homelessness, with many of these projects already yielding results."

"I'm also extremely proud that we're going to invest in the council's smallholding estate, which offers homes to almost 40 families in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd – helping to support our rural communities, our economy and our culture."