Warning rough sleepers in Glasgow could be turned away for a bed
Volunteers at Homeless Project Scotland are telling us their base on Glassford Street has been at full capacity for the last week.
Last updated 10th Jun 2024
Volunteers at Homeless Project Scotland in Glasgow are telling us they have run out of beds for rough sleepers at night and they're worried people could be turned away for help.
The unit, based on Glassford Street in the city centre, has space for 50 people every night and has been operating at full capacity for the last week.
Inside Glasgow's night shelter
Colin McInness is in charge and told Greatest Hits Radio: "We get a range of people including those who've been released from prison, asylum seekers and refugees.
"I feel it is getting busier because the council is trying to watch its budget and instead of buying rooms in hotels, it is relying on us to pick up the slack."
The service operates from 10.30 at night until 9.30 in the morning and volunteers work during the day to drop food off to rough sleepers in different corners of the city.
Colin added: "Last week we had a mother, father and three children who came to us at 10.30 in the evening and I felt like I was fighting with the council to get them help because nobody intervened until 3.30 in the morning.
"A mother, father and their three young kids had to bunk down on a mattress together, it was awful."
Council pressure
A council spokeswoman said: “We do not rely on Homeless Project Scotland."
"The council faces particular challenges in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation due to the current level of demand for homelessness assistance."
"At present we are accommodating over 3750 households in temporary and emergency accommodation."
"We are working with a range of stakeholders to address the challenges the city faces in tackling homelessness.”