Cost of living crisis: Glasgow dad faces sleeping on street

The 29-year-old, who wants to be anonymous and will be referred to as Joe*, fell on hard times and claims to have been rejected for emergency accommodation over lack of availability.

It comes after Glasgow City Council leader, Susan Aitken, hailed plans to decommission a homeless hotel as a “step forward”.

Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Susan Aitken: closing homeless hotel is a step forward

We reported in June that funding for the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Hotel, in Union Street, would be cut off and people moved out over a three-month period.

However, the council have since struggled to close the doors as demand for shelter continues to surge in the city, meaning the plans are on hold.

The council has a statutory duty to provide accommodation and buys up space in hotels and B&Bs in the city.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Hotel Glasgow (Image: Sourced)

READ MORE: Hotel used for homeless people to be 'decommissioned' to save cash

Joe told the Glasgow Times: “I am going to have to sleep on the streets tonight because I have absolutely nowhere to go.

“I saw Susan Aitken say that closing another homeless hotel would be ‘progress’ but I think it would just punish the poorest people in our city.

“I have never seen so many people sleeping on Glasgow’s streets, it could happen to anyone. I can’t work because of health issues and now that my relationship has broken down, I am homeless for the first time in my life.

“Having to mentally prepare to sleep outside because nowhere can offer me temporary accommodation is awful, then to see the council leader frankly brag about how it is a good plan to shut down vital services is a kick in the teeth.”

We reported last month that on at least four nights in one week, people were told there was no accommodation available. 

READ MORE: Homeless left on streets and told no rooms left in Glasgow

The Glasgow Times spoke to Homeless Project Scotland who claim they have noticed a stark rise in people seeking help in the city.

They are currently feeding around 310 people a day and are desperate for a housing solution to keep up with demand.

Charity leaders said: “Closing more homeless services would be shambolic.

“A hotel is not a home like Susan's column said, but it is better than the street pavement which is unfortunately the current alternative for people.

“We have seen a massive rise in homelessness in the city in the past four weeks and something seriously needs to be done."

A spokeswoman for the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Our aim must be to support people into permanent accommodation.

“However, we continue to provide emergency accommodation, and this includes using hotel/bed and breakfasts in the city.

“We are seeing an increased demand for assistance due to a variety of pressures including the cost-of-living crisis, changes to homelessness legislation, and we will continue to review everyone’s circumstances on a case-by-case basis, while ensuring those at greatest need are supported accordingly.

“We are aware of cases where we have been unable to provide accommodation at the point of request and continue to review these.

“However, these cases do not routinely translate into an increase in rough sleeping, with people supported with alternative arrangements until accommodation becomes available.”