We are determined to close the revolving door between hostel life and street life Margaret Curran Communities Minister

The project to close Glasgow's outdated homeless hostels and replace them with smaller accommodation has moved into a new stage.

The Clyde Place Assessment Centre, which includes a GP surgery, addiction support and offers property advice, has been officially opened.

The centre is part of a �100m investment by the Scottish Executive over three years to cut homelessness.

Nearly a quarter of Scotland's homeless population is in Glasgow.

Communities Minister Margaret Curran said: "As well as closing and replacing the outdated hostels, this major initiative will help to identify and resolve homelessness where it does occur."

This approach would focus on the more complex needs of people with a history of homelessness and sleeping rough.

"We are determined to close the revolving door between hostel life and street life which is all too common an experience for homeless people," she added.

Glasgow has a quarter of Scotland's homeless people

One woman currently living in the Clyde centre said: "When I arrived at Clyde Place, my drug use was out of control.

"I was a mess, my partner had been violent to me and my child had been taken into care.

"The staff made me feel safe and they quickly got me all the help I needed, especially for my drug use, and this is now under control."

Councillor Jon McKenzie, convener of Glasgow City Council's social care services committee, described the opening as "a new era in the way Glasgow provides services for homeless people".

"By gradually closing the larger hostels and introducing more community living, we aspire to reduce the number of people presenting as homeless more than once.

"This new facility wil provide valuable temporary accommodation for the city as part of our strategy to reduce homelessness and eliminate the need for rough sleeping," he said.