Number of asylum seekers left homeless in Glasgow nearly doubles

A huge rise in the number of asylum seekers granted the right to stay in Glasgow saw homelessness applications jump by more than 1,300 over the last year.

The number of asylum seekers left homeless went up by 96% from 1,384 to 2,709 in 2023 to 2024, according to Glasgow City Council’s chief social work report.

The surge in applications led to the council having to use 30 hotels – doubling the placements of people in B&Bs from 700 to 1,400. That is in addition to 2,000 temporary furnished flats.

Interim chief social work officer Kelda Gaffney said: “Glasgow did declare a housing emergency due to unprecedented demand last year and that demand has continued to increase for us.

“It has placed very significant challenges across the city in the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and the council financially and in providing housing provision for people.

“Over the last year there has been a 20 per cent increase in demand just for housing advice and assistance. The number of homelessness applications rose by 15%”

Speaking at a Glasgow City Council committee last week, she added: “Some of that in large part has been driven by the UK Government streamlined asylum decision-making process, which has seen our homelessness applications in Glasgow for those people granted leave to remain increase by over 1300 applications – which was a 96 per cent year on year increase.

“We know we have a significant challenge associated with our homelessness population.”

In response, the HSCP has set up a homelessness accommodation oversight group with a range of stakeholders to examine available housing and opportunities to boost temporary places to stay.

When an asylum seeker receives a positive decision on their right to remain in the UK, they must move out of Home Office-funded Mears accommodation.

The majority of people then make a homelessness application with Glasgow City Council. A UK Government decision to speed up the processing of asylum decisions has left the council overwhelmed with applications for homeless housing.

One idea to help deal with demand, which was suggested, would see Glasgow City Council-owned buildings being re-provisioned for use as temporary accommodation.

Ms Gaffney said one positive is that 3,344 social housing lets were given to homeless families in 2023 to 2024. The figure equated to 50% of social housing lets across the city.

Ms Gaffney presented the figures related to homelessness as part of a major social work report to councillors attending the local authority’s well-being, equalities, communities, culture, and engagement city policy committee last week.

The social work report has been submitted to the Scottish Government.