WEST Dunbartonshire Council is set to receive a funding boost to help homeless people.

The Scottish Government has announced plans to up the funding for the Rapid Rehousing programme by £9 million in the next three years.

Run by local authorities, each council is given a pot by the government to operate their individual service.

The project is aimed at moving people back into housing as quickly as possible after an application for homelessness is made.

West Dunbartonshire is in line for a £265,000 boost in funding in the next three years.

Scottish Government housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “Temporary accommodation provides an important safety net in a crisis, but we know it is not the solution.

“The evidence shows what most people need is a settled place to stay where they can rebuild their lives. Where additional support is required, it will be most effective when people are living in a stable home, in mainstream housing.

“This additional funding will help reduce time spent in temporary accommodation and get people experiencing homelessness into appropriate and sustainable housing as quickly as possible.”

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "We are committed to tackling homelessness and we welcome this additional resource to help us deliver our Home at the Heart Rapid Rehousing programme.

"This approach will allow us to continue making progress by providing more permanent and secure housing, as well support for the most vulnerable members of our community."