An ambitious £4.6 million plan to fast-track homeless people into accommodation in West Dunbartonshire has been approved by councillors.

But the housing and communities committee heard on Wednesday that the project could take up to a decade to deliver if the Scottish Government fails to stump up the funding it requires.

Councillors won't find out until April if they will receive the cash which would allow them to tackle the growing issue of homelessness in the area.

Last week, the Post revealed West Dunbartonshire had the the worst levels of people without homes in the whole of Scotland.

John Kerr, housing development and homelessness manager, told committee: “There will be an announcement from the Scottish Government in April whether we have been successful in getting the funding, full or partial.

“The expectation of people working in the sector is that the programme will be over-subscribed and we may need to look at other sources of funding streams.

“We have a particularly strong case in terms of homelessness, both the causes and the consequences, particularly around the support needs for homeless persons.

“I would hope that we get as close to the 4.6 million but if we don’t get the full amount we will have to review the plan going forward.

“The five-year plan may become a seven or ten-year plan.”

READ MORE West Dunbartonshire has worst homelessness levels in Scotland

The Rapid Rehousing Transition Programme, dubbed “Home at the Heart”, aims to make sure that minimal time is spent in temporary homes.

SNP councillor Karen Conaghan said: “It’s a very good report but we need to tackle the levels of poverty in a constructive way.

“Having been with people who have needed support, the thing that makes a difference is the staff.

“Many of them live in the local community and have a good understanding of the issue.

“This report is about ‘more than a roof’ and for many of our staff this is more than a job.”

READ MORE Council could still face more cuts despite £3.2m more funds

Labour councillor David McBride also praised the project.

He added: “I think we were the first council to do away with B&B accommodation and it will only be used in emergencies.

“We have a long history of good work here.

“We introduced supported accommodation and it’s been well received by people who use it and the local community.

“The project has been doubled in the last few years which is excellent.

“We will always have homelessness here but the real problem is not the consequence, but the cause.

“When we have the level of deprivation that we have, the cuts from the Scottish and UK governments don’t help.”