A Glasgow MSP has called for ‘honest and transparent’ communication in the Homeless Project Scotland’s ongoing row with Glasgow City Council over suitable accommodation during a Scottish Parliament debate on Homelessness.
The Charity, which currently runs it food distribution service from under Glasgow Central Rail Bridge, has been trying for months to secure a premise to allow people to eat their meals in doors.
Scottish Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy has previously written to the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council urging on them to do more to help find suitable accommodation.
The MSP is now calling for more transparent communication on the issue after the Homeless Project disputed claims from a Glasgow City Council spokesperson stating that it had rejected three offers of accommodation from the council.
Commenting, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP said:
“The Homeless Project provide a lifeline to people across Glasgow with hot meals and friendship throughout the week.
“Despite their long search for accommodation they are still struggling to secure a premises that would mean they could provide shelter and a place for people to eat inside – rather than the current situation which sees them set up outside, under Central Station Bridge every night.
“Our city has seen the largest increase in homelessness of any local authority across the county, a consequence of the SNPs ongoing attack on local authority finances.
“I have repeatedly asked both the Scottish Government and the Council to intervene in this situation to find a suitable location – so that while numbers remain so high, essential services like this one are properly equipped to deal with demand. I am disappointed that neither have yet done so.
“There have now been claims of misleading and inaccurate information which is why honest and transparent communication is of the utmost importance. Far from helping the project, the SNP are making it worse. And so I once again urge Susan Aitken and the SNP Council to step up and help this vital organisation find the premises it needs.”
ENDS