Temporary accommodation for homeless people is sorely needed

Glasgow is facing a rise in homelessness after funding was reduced for bed and breakfast accommodation.

Shelter Scotland warned more people could b e forced onto the streets after the city’s social care partnership attempts to save nearly £5m.

One proposal is to decommission a hotel used for homeless services.

It comes as figures released showed the number of open homelessness applications were at an all-time high in September 2022 with the majority - 28,944 - staying in temporary accommodation provided by councils.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "I think there is a real danger that the progress that Glasgow has made on tackling rough sleeping is going to go into reverse gear.

"Glasgow Council has done a good job of saying what it is it needs to do, but it's also clearly saying they need additional investment in support from Scottish government to deliver real and lasting change."

The council is desperately seeking solutions to its homelessness services after a report delivered last week to the city's integration joint board showed a £16m overspend is expected.

While placements in hotels and B&B accommodation account for around 750 applications, the city faces a shortfall of 1,600 properties to provide temporary accommodation.

Glasgow council has already stopped providing meals to homeless bed and breakfasts following the end of Scottish Government covid funding.

Watson added: "Glasgow City Council, like a lot of Scotland's local authorities, has been over-reliant, particularly on hotels, for temporary accommodation.

"That's because they quite simply don't have enough social homes that they can bring into the pool to make sure that people have a decent, safe, and secure roof over their head."