Nearly 3,300 children are homeless in Glasgow weeks before Christmas, with the number of homeless individuals in temporary accommodation also at a record high. New figures reveal a significant increase in homeless children, rising from 2,765 in April last year to 3,233 in October.
The total number of homeless people in temporary housing in Glasgow has also climbed from 8,000 last year to 8,771 in September and 8,771 in October. This worsening situation is attributed to multiple factors, including the cost of living crisis and a surge in refugee homelessness.
Glasgow City Council leaders believe the Home Office's policy of emptying asylum seeker hotels has led to refugees having nowhere to live. Currently, 5,465 refugees are in temporary accommodation in Glasgow, with over 1,600 housed in hotels and bed and breakfasts.
This has created a £66 million financial shortfall for the city due to the increased demand for temporary accommodation. Critics, including Labour MSP Mark Griffin, blame the SNP's governance for the housing emergency, citing a decline in new home construction and unmet affordable housing pledges.
Campaigner Sean Clerkin, representing the Scottish Tenants Organisation, plans to take legal action against Glasgow City Council for its treatment of homeless people and is calling for an emergency winter homeless summit involving various government bodies and agencies. Political opposition from the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Conservatives also points to the SNP's inaction and cuts to housing budgets, as well as policies like rent controls, as contributing to the escalating housing crisis and homelessness.
Glasgow council acknowledges the housing emergency and the pressure on its services, stating they are working with partners to reduce temporary accommodation use but require additional resources and dialogue with both the Scottish and UK Governments.
