Almost 70 per cent of West Dunbartonshire’s council housing will be made available to homeless households as part of the local authority’s rapid rehousing transition plan (RRTP).
The Scottish Government has already awarded West Dunbartonshire £238,000 for 2022/23 for the RRTP.
The plan aims to reduce the amount of time people spend in temporary accommodation and follows the “ housing first” approach which has had a 100 per cent success rate so far.
The council’s 'Home at the Heart' scheme was developed in response to a key recommendation from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) that was adopted by the Scottish Government .
It requires every local authority to develop and submit an RRTP for the period 2019 to 2024.
Despite this, there are still concerns that youth homelessness remains one of the highest in the country.
An update was brought before the housing and communities committee on Wednesday afternoon.
Peter Barry, chief officer of housing and employability, said: “Tragically a number of residents of the housing first model have passed away but all other residents have sustained their tenancy so its 100 per cent tenancy sustainment which I think is as good as it is surprising.
“Because of this exceptional pressure on homeless lets and accommodation we are asking for a temporary increase in the numbers of housing allocations that are made.
“We are asking to move that from 59 per cent to 69 per cent of our lets being for homeless households so we can clear that backlog.”
Members agreed to the recommendation but concerns were raised about youth homelessness and why West Dunbartonshire might experience more of that problem than other areas.
SNP councillor Karen Conaghan said: “I am looking for some more data and understanding on the reasons why a young person found themselves in that situation.
“Do we have more overcrowding and that’s what’s driving them out of the house they are in? Is it to do with domestic violence or substance misuse within the home?
“I am aware there are a wide variety of reasons but I think it would be useful to unpick that. Where can young people turn for help?”
Peter Barry, chief officer of housing and employability, said: “Although we have one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the country, we are one of the best at responding to it.
“I want to reassure members that we are keeping on top of a very complex workload. We all share a collective desire to address that issue. Understanding that problem is key.”
