Figures show that 47% of households given housing options advice at an early stage were assisted to remain in their current accommodation.

Policy lead for housing, Councillor Robin Currie, said: “There are now a wider range of housing options for people living in Argyll and Bute and I believe this has helped to reduce the number of homeless applications being submitted.

“The council provides people with advice at an early stage and this helps us to address any concerns which could have caused more significant problems at a later date if they had been left.”