AN ALLIANCE to tackle homelessness in Glasgow has been commissioned by the council – with a first year budget of £23m.

City councillors have agreed to enter into a multi-party agreement for an initial period of seven years, with an option to extend for a further three.

The contract is valued at £187.5m over its maximum 10-year term.

Seven third sector and independent sector partners, known as Everyone’s Home, will design, plan and deliver services alongside the council.

This will include providing accommodation and support services to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness in the city.

READ MORE: Massive £178m-funded alliance to tackle Glasgow's homelessness revealed

The organisations are Aspire, Crossreach, Loretto Care, Mungo Foundation, Sacro, Salvation Army and YPeople. The council would previously buy services from the groups.

Councillor Ken Andrew said: "This is really good news, to really try and start dealing with some of the problems we have in the city."

And Councillor Margaret Morgan added: "It's a great leap forward to end homelessness in Glasgow."

The agreement, approved by the council's contracts and property committee on Thursday, states an alliance leadership team will be formed, made up of senior representatives from the partners and the council.

A report to councillors stated: "This is a complex and innovative approach to partnership working and a shift from the traditional commissioner/ provider relationship.

"The establishment of the Alliance affords a significant opportunity to demonstrate that by working together with shared responsibilities and a drive to adopt whole-system, rights and asset based approaches to change, we can improve outcomes, experiences and perceptions of this vulnerable population of Glasgow citizens."

Councillor Jim Kavanagh asked if there was a plan B if plans fell through or a client didn't adhere.

Susanne Miller, interim chief officer at Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), said: "The Plan B is all support plans are subject to ongoing review and can and should be changed when individual circumstances change."

The council retains sole responsibility for all statutory homelessness duties. Funding for the alliance will be subject to Local Government financial settlements and council/GCHSCP budget allocations.