A residential unit to house homeless people is to close within weeks, leading to fears over rough sleeping.

Eskdale House, in Easterhouse, has space for 40 men and is used by the city council to place people in emergency accommodation.

The unit, run by the Talbot Association, is due to close in early October, and the city’s Health and Social Care Partnership, which is in charge of homelessness services, is looking at plans to move the men to other accommodation.

But with a shortage of places and the council looking to reduce reliance on hotels and B&Bs, there are fears that some could end up on the streets.

Martha Wardrop, Green councillor, has asked the Health and Social Care Partnership about the implications of the closure.

She said: “The HSCP informed me they had notification from the Talbot Association to close Eskdale House.

“It’s very worrying when we’ve got a shortage of accommodation and a housing crisis.

“We have to retain as many places as possible for people who are homeless.

I’m very concerned for the people affected and the staff who work there.”

Glasgow Times:

Campaigners fear the closure could lead to an increase in rough sleeping in Glasgow.

Sean Clerkin, campaign co-ordinator of the Scottish Tenants Association, said: “The closure of this homeless unit means that 40 homeless men could be turned out onto the streets of Glasgow or at best put into squalid hellhole hotels in the city centre all because of financial cuts to our most vulnerable citizens.

“This facility should be kept open with more funding given to Glasgow HSCP by the Scottish Government.

“It is clear that the large cuts to Homeless Services is severely damaging to homeless people in the city and must be reversed with more monies being given to deal with the growing housing and homeless emergency in Glasgow.”

A spokesperson for the Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We are aware of the decision taken by the contracted provider at Eskdale House to terminate the support service.  

“We are working with the provider to develop plans to secure suitable alternative accommodation for all people affected by the forthcoming closure.”

No-one at the Talbot Association was available for comment.