Homelessness is increasing in West Dunbartonshire – and council bosses may need to resort to B&Bs and hotels for temporary accommodation because their stock is full.

West Dunbartonshire Council said they had a proud record of avoiding using external facilities as temporary fixes. But that was at risk amid rising requests for homes and a struggle to turn around empty properties for new tenants.

Last week’s housing and communities meeting heard that according to mid-year figures, youth homelessness has increased to 88 cases, up from the 77 in the period of April to June - and higher than the target of 66.

A report to councillors stated: “We have analysed a number of the underlying reasons and have developed additional preventative activities. Our ongoing research programme with Action for Children will also identify and allow the service and partners to implement additional housing solutions.”

The percentage of cases reassessed within 12 months - also defined as “repeat homelessness” - sat at 7.1 per cent, up from a target of five per cent.

Bosses stated: “Performance against this indicator has decreased both in the short and long trend representing 19 cases of repeat homelessness. Monthly reviews continue to be carried out to capture learning for improvement.”

It is taking nearly twice as long to re-let properties as it should, at 44.5 weeks on average compared to the target of 25 weeks. Officials blamed staff shortages in building services and housing operations.

The pandemic affected council rent income, with 1.59 per cent lost because of empty flats, double the target.

Peter Barry, chief officer for housing and employability, said: “We absolutely have to focus on turning around our voids.

“We have got a whole number of people who are homeless waiting for new homes. So much so that our temporary accommodation stock is full and we’re struggling to maintain that.

“And we’ve a proud record of not using bed and breakfast or hotel-type accommodation to support people who are in temporary accommodation.

“That record is at major risk now. So we have to turn that around as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, a pilot programme for shared tenancy for young people in Clydebank has been found to be successful and will be expanded.

The report states: “We have developed a number of new options to promote successful housing solutions for our young people including our shared tenancy project which was piloted in Clydebank and will now be rolled out across the local authority area.

“Our research programme will also identify additional recommendations to ensure we deliver to meet the housing need of West Dunbartonshire’s young people.”