A new homeless strategy is getting people off the streets of Perth and Kinross at a record rate.
The Home First campaign, launched by the local authority last year, has seen a dramatic drop in the length of time it takes to find accommodation for those left sleeping rough.
In 2016/17 the average person who presented as homeless would have to wait an average of 441 days for an offer of permanent housing.
Now that timescale has been reduced to an average of just 91 days.
The length of time spent in temporary accommodation has also fallen from just over 132 days to 81.5 days.
Home First has been able to re-home people more quickly by avoiding putting them into temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts.
The model, which has been hailed as a sector-leading example of good practice by Shelter Scotland, focuses on minimising the duration, impact, stigma and cost of homelessness.
On Wednesday, councillors will be asked to build on the success of the programme with a new Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP), which will receive Scottish Government funding.
Local authorities have been asked to develop a plan for the next five years and have it submitted by the end of the year.
Lib Dem councillor Peter Barrett, who is convener of the housing and communities committee, said: “Rapid Rehousing is very similar to our own Home First approach in terms of the objectives of assisting homeless people to move quickly and directly into settled housing, avoiding the need for temporary accommodation.
“This is about minimising the impact of homelessness for individuals and families where homelessness cannot be prevented.”
He said: “We are in a very strong position compared to most other local authorities as we are already operating our own rapid rehousing system through Home First.
“Many other authorities still have huge temporary accommodation portfolios, extensive use of B&B and substantial backlogs of homeless people waiting on an offer of housing.”
Mr Barrett added: “Despite our comparatively strong starting position, we want to take the opportunity to set out an ambitious programme.
“A project team has been established to oversee the development and implementation of the RRTP and we are currently consulting with local community partner organisations.”
He said the council was “well on track” to meet the December 31 deadline.
