Glasgow’s council is overwhelmed with legal threats due to homelessness issues, highlighting a growing crisis in the city’s housing services.
Back in November 2023, the council declared a homelessness emergency. They were under serious pressure, especially after the Home Office sped up asylum claims. This led to a huge spike in homeless applications, forcing the city to rely on temporary accommodations like hotels and B&Bs, which aren’t ideal.
Just a year ago, there were 793 households in B&Bs. Now, that number has nearly doubled to 1,496. In November 2024 alone, there were over 1,000 times when the council couldn’t provide accommodation for those in need.
Cllr Allan Casey, who oversees homelessness, is calling for better funding. He noted that while the fast-tracked asylum process helps those waiting, it also means a lot of decisions are made quickly, which can lead to mistakes.
The council is trying to avoid rough sleeping by using hotels, but this is costly and could become unsustainable. Cllr Casey wants the UK Government to step up and provide more financial support for Glasgow’s efforts.
The financial burden from the Home Office’s decisions is expected to hit £26.5 million in the next year. Currently, the Home Office only gives £750 per year for each asylum seeker, leaving Glasgow to cover the rest.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and the rising cost of living have added to the strain on services. A new action plan is in the works to tackle these issues, and it will be presented to the Integration Joint Board soon.
Interestingly, 95% of asylum seekers in Scotland are currently in Glasgow, which is a staggering number. The city has also seen a rise in homelessness applications from people granted leave to remain outside the city, with no extra funding to help.
The report suggests that Glasgow’s more progressive homelessness laws are attracting people. Changes in local connection rules mean anyone can apply for help in any council area, leading to more applications in Glasgow.
Cllr Casey believes the legislation is good but needs to come with proper funding. Officials say while Glasgow wants to be welcoming, the current situation is unsustainable and is putting a lot of pressure on their services.
Cllr Casey is committed to working with various organizations to improve the situation. He wants to maximize the number of properties available for homeless people and is looking into repurposing council-owned sites for larger families.
They’ve even secured £11.5 million from the Scottish Government to buy more homes. However, some community leaders feel the crisis is still out of control. They argue that the council should commit to building more affordable housing.
Housing charity Shelter Scotland has also raised concerns, saying the situation is getting worse. They stress the need for more social homes and specific targets to reduce the number of children in temporary accommodation.
Cllr Ann Jenkins from Labour is pushing for the council to use compulsory purchase powers to bring empty properties back into use. She believes the housing shortage is a clear issue that needs urgent attention.
In recent years, Glasgow has seen a significant rise in homeless applications, and the numbers are expected to keep climbing. The city is in a challenging position, and everyone is hoping for a solution soon.
