Nearly 30,000 people are sleeping rough in Glasgow, according to new reports

Reports of rough sleeping in Glasgow has surged in the past year, showing that nearly 30,000 people are without a home.

In the city, 29,408 homeless applications were recorded in 2022-2023, up by 3,242 the previous year and 6,502 in 2019-2020.

A particularly alarming trend is the number of people reporting they had slept rough the night before applying for help from the Housing Council, which nearly doubled in the last year, rising from 325 to 640.

Homelessness in Glasgow has surged by 15 per cent over the past year, contributing to Scotland’s highest level of homelessness applications in over a decade. The latest data reveals more than 40,000 homeless applications across the country, with Glasgow accounting for a significant portion of the increase.

According to a Scottish Government report, Glasgow’s sharp rise in applications attributed to an increase in asylum seekers and refugees seeking shelter. Homeless applications from individuals granted refugee status or leave to remain nearly doubled in the city, jumping from 1,384 to 2,709.

Other council areas across Scotland have also experienced increases, though none as significant as Glasgow. North Lanarkshire saw a 16 per cent rise in homelessness applications, Edinburgh recorded a five per cent increase, and South Lanarkshire experienced an eight per cent spike. Additionally, Inverclyde and Midlothian reported the largest proportional increases, with homelessness up by 29 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan expressed concern over the rising numbers, saying: “These figures are deeply concerning, and I know the lack of a settled home seriously affects people’s health and life chances. We’ve provided record funding of over £14 billion to councils for 2024-2025 to support homelessness services and tackle this crisis.”

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Glasgow Live reported that whilst funding is crucial, Paul also stressed the need for preventative measures: “We must stop homelessness from happening in the first place and ensure affordable homes are available when people need them.”

For students in Glasgow, many of whom struggle to secure affordable housing, this rise in homelessness is an urgent issue. The city’s growing housing crisis highlights the need for both immediate action and long-term solutions to support vulnerable groups, particularly asylum seekers and refugees facing additional barriers.

Feature image via Pixabay

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