More than 500 vulnerable residents have been supported by West Dunbartonshire Council’s homelessness and housing options team amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The team, which continued a 24/7 service during lockdown, increased the provision of accommodation by 40 per cent to meet demand.

Since March, 444 people have presented as homeless, with 370 households offered accommodation.

This figure included 105 residents who were homeless as a result of domestic abuse, and 142 young people.

The numbers represent a 32 per cent increase on the same period last year.

Housing and communities convener Councillor Diane Docherty said: “Thanks to this service’s hard work, these 370 households were provided with somewhere safe and secure to go, avoiding the dangers of rough sleeping.”