MAXIMISING the use of all available housing stock is just one of the ways Fife Council is attempting to tackle its homelessness crisis.

Council leader David Ross is due to give an update at a meeting of the full council today (Thursday) on efforts to provide support to people in vulnerable housing circumstances.

In his report, he states: "The pressure on housing and homeless services is likely to continue as people continue to feel the effect of the cost-of-living crisis and other factors causing homelessness.

"We have taken steps to increase supply through a commitment to deliver phase three of the affordable housing programme, increase property acquisitions and our approaches to increase housing options.

"Our priority is to create the best deal for tenants in housing need through a transfer-led approach to housing allocations and meeting priority needs within the housing stock available."

Cllr Ross said the housing system was facing "unprecedented pressures" which meant a range of challenges for service delivery.

In October, he said the local authority had reported two breaches of their statutory duty to provide accommodation in October and another one in November.

"While we are not seeing a significant increase in the level of homeless presentations, we are seeing considerable demand for temporary accommodation and there have been times during the year when all resources have been exhausted," he explained.

"This situation continues to be monitored very closely and action taken to ensure support to vulnerable households.

"In 2019, the council set out our ambition to transform housing access and homelessness services within our first Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan. The plan is based on the ability to meet the needs of those in vulnerable housing circumstances earlier and prevent the need for crisis response services.

"The council remains committed to that vision and are working to improve the experience of customers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

"It is fair to say that these efforts have been negatively impacted by the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID pandemic and our priority and focus remains on meeting our statutory duties."