The move towards a community-based approach comes after significant research, planning and consultation and will have a primary focus on early intervention and prevention to combat the national trend of increasing homeless applications.

The change will result in the eventual closure of the Inverclyde Centre and will achieve positive and person-centred outcomes for people.

Council leader Councillor Robert Moran, former chair of the Inverclyde Integrated Joint Board - the organisation that oversees local health and social care functions delegated to it, said: “This decision moves Inverclyde into the modern era of looking after the individual needs of people who find themselves homeless.

“We will still have a 24-hour support service that runs 365 days a year. But this way we will help to improve staff morale, deliver vital cost savings and support people to move forward.

“Homelessness doesn’t happen on its own, it’s the result of many different and often complex reasons. By moving to a community-based approach, our experienced staff can better support people to a positive future.”

By closing the centre, the service will increase the number of temporary furnished flats from 50 to 79, the service will be more financially stable and it will prioritise the whole-person support model.

A staff consultation is currently underway and has already received strong engagement and support.