GLASGOW City Council recently declared a housing emergency in the city.

City convener for workforce, homelessness and addiction services, councillor Allan Casey, said: “The city is experiencing an overwhelming increase in people presenting as rough sleepers as well as a significant rise in individuals, from elsewhere in the UK, seeking assistance here in Glasgow.

“The council will continue to lobby Scottish and UK governments for appropriate funding and legislative change to respond to this housing emergency.”

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Sadly, no extra funding has been provided so far. Indeed, the Scottish Government’s Ending Homelessness Together fund for independent homeless advice is set to end in March, so we may have a housing crisis but our governments in London and Edinburgh haven’t noticed or aren’t interested.

In the last couple of weeks, Govan Law Centre has helped 70 homeless people access emergency accommodation – including 44 individuals who were sleeping rough on Glasgow’s streets, often for several days or longer. In my 28 years as a city lawyer this is unprecedented.

In June this year the Health and Social Care Partnership cut £5 million from the homeless housing budget, losing 75 beds from the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Hotel, and in May 2019, £2.6m was cut with a loss of 100 temporary beds. We’ve a crisis made worse by poor funding decisions.

Today, Homeless Project Scotland opens a new facility in the basement of an office building in the Merchant City. Charity founder Colin McInnes said: “We are immensely proud to announce the opening of our new welfare centre in Glasgow, dedicated to providing emergency beds for 30 homeless individuals during the harsh winter. This centre will save lives this Christmas.

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“Our vision is to offer a warm and welcoming space that goes beyond shelter – it’s about restoring dignity, hope and a sense of community for those in need. Our journey has been fuelled by the belief that every person deserves a place to call home.

“Today, as we inaugurate our new welfare centre in Glasgow, we extend our gratitude to the public whose generous support has made this possible. Together, we are making a real impact by providing immediate relief to individuals facing the harsh winter conditions.”

The centre in Glassford Street offers a warm, safe place to sleep as well as serving as a new base for the charity’s soup kitchen which gives out free food to those in need – sparking huge queues at its former location on Argyle Street. The charity’s team of volunteers have endured horrendous conditions serving food outdoors on a busy street over the last six years.

Colin said: “In the face of adversity, the public’s unwavering support has been the driving force behind this and everything we do. Our new welfare centre stands testament to the compassion and solidarity of our community.

“With 30 emergency beds, we aim not only to shield the homeless from the cold but also to offer them a pathway towards stability and brighter futures.

“Our vision is clear – to be a beacon of hope for those battling homelessness.

“The outpouring of support from the public is a clear signal they are behind us and reinforces our shared commitment to addressing homelessness in our community. To everyone who has supported us in any way along the long road to this moment – thank you.”