Plans are to be drawn up to use the Housing First model to prevent homeless people currently put up in hotels, returning to the streets.

Talks between Housing First and the Scottish Government come after the first one-year report into the initiative showed that more than 100 tenancies were created in Glasgow and the vast majority are still in their homes.

Around 200 people are currently in hotels and B&B accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic and efforts are being made to ensure they all have somewhere to go after lockdown ends and hotels return to normal.

The Housing First Advisory Group said it is looking to “significantly scale-up the programme and prevent anyone returning to the streets who has been accommodated in hotels and short-term lets under current emergency measures.”

The first report shows that 252 tenancies though Housing First were created in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling in the last year.

In Glasgow there were 117 and 92% of those had sustained their tenancies as of March 31 this year.

There were no evictions, and in Glasgow jus one tenant abandoned the property and two others moved on to another secure tenancy.

Homes were provided in Glasgow by  Wheatley Group, Queens Cross, New Gorbals, Southside, Thenue and Govan housing associations and NG homes.

Sir Andrew Cubie, Chair of the Housing First Scotland Advisory Group, said: “Work that continues during these exceptional circumstances, moving us closer to a solution that addresses the most acute forms of homelessness.”

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “In the current public health emergency, it is vital that we all build on the progress made as we seek to meet our commitment to end rough sleeping for good. I look forward to working closely with all involved in the Pathfinder, to ensure Housing First is available to all those who will benefit from it.”

Maggie Brunjes, Chief Executive of Homeless Network Scotland, said: “Covid-19 has brought into focus a little of what it must feel like when shortages, uncertainty and isolation equals ‘normal’ life, which is the case for thousands of people in Scotland.

“This is the right time to rapidly scale up Housing First in Scotland and make sure there is no return to homelessness. “

One tenant, John, had been living in a tent until poor health and a series of hospital stays led him to the Rodney Street shelter in Glasgow

He said: “I was offered a home of my own through the Housing First programme. I refused it but when a house came up in an area of Glasgow, I was familiar with, I decided to take the chance.

“At first, I hated it. I could feel the walls closing in like before. But the Housing First support staff were incredible. They stood by me every step of the way and did everything they could to help me adjust to living in my own home.

“I’ve now been in my wee house for almost a year and I love it. I’m always thinking about different things to do to improve it. I can see me living here for the rest of my life, hopefully.”