MSPs in ideas plea to end homeless ‘misery’
CALL TO TACKLE HOUSING CRISIS IN CITY FOR SINGLE MEN
MSPs are appealing to the public for ideas on how to tackle the “misery of homelessness” in Scotland.
Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee wants to find out more about the reasons why people become homeless and whether the services available to those facing housing crises are working effectively.
The committee has issued a call for evidence and also plans to examine international homelessness policies in a bid to find improvements.
MSPs visited homeless women and men in emergency accommodation and shelters in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perthshire to find out information and met with housing and homelessness charities.
Committee convener Bob Doris said: “Everyone deserves to have a safe place that they can call home. However, on the committee’s visits to homeless shelters across Scotland, we heard that many still face the misery of homelessness and rough sleeping in our cities and rural areas.
“The homeless people we met said that relationship breakdowns, disruptive family life or mental health issues were the main reasons for their lives spiralling out of control – leading to a chaotic life on the streets or sofa-surfing with nowhere permanent to live.
“We now want to hear views on a wide variety of housing and homelessness issues across Scotland. For example, how can we better support those with multiple or complex needs who are in danger of losing their homes?”
ASECURITY guard who protected some of the world’s most famous people is now living homeless in Glasgow.
James Masterton, from Drumchapel, worked at Kensington Palace and acted as a body guard for countless A-list celebrities while working in London for 10 years.
The 41-year-old worked with Tony and Cherie Blair, Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford, comedian Keith Lemon and former deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg among others.
But the dad-of-two has spent the last eight months in a homeless hostel after coming back to home to Glasgow, and is now desperate for help.
He also wants to highlight the plight of single men looking for accommodation, and the difficulty they often face when trying to find a home.
James said: “I hit a bad bout of depression, and my kids are also at an age where they need their dad to be here, in the city where they are.
“I came back to Glasgow. I have friends and family and I was sleeping on their couches but I have two kids and I needed somewhere where I could spend time with them. “It wasn’t good for them. “I contacted the council’s social work services and was told the best option for me would be to declare myself as homeless at the Hamish Allen centre, which is what I did.”
James visited the Hamish Allen in August, last year, and thought he would be able to get help finding a more permanent home but is now in limbo.
He was referred to the Talbot Association Housing Support Branch on Paisley Road – a homeless shelter for up to 61 men – and has been there ever since.
James says he has been left in limbo and feels “the system is not working”.
Living in the homeless hostel is putting a strain on James’ mental health, and he said he could understand how people like him end up turning to drink or drugs.
“I just want to go back to work,” he explained.
“I was at the top of my game when I had to come back here, and I just want to get on with life, contribute to society.
“I’m not asking for anything I’m not entitled to either. Anyone can end up homeless, anyone, and if they do they deserve support.
“Everywhere I turn I’m hitting a brick wall.”
James said he has contacted Glasgow City Council for updates on his case numerous times, but due to his situation – being a single man with no disability or dependents, needing a one-bedroom flat – the available housing is limited.
He hopes to find a flat in Drumchapel, close to his two children, which again makes the search more restricted.
James also said he has had difficulty contacting the member of staff he believed was his case worker, and only recently discovered his case was passed to another team in October.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “James Masterton presented as homeless on August 29, last year.
“Following an assessment of his homelessness, in line with standards set out in law, we accepted on September 21 we had a duty to find him permanent accommodation.
“A resettlement plan for Mr Masterton was then completed by October 17, which meant his case was assigned to the team that works directly with the city’s housing associations to secure permanent accommodation for those affected by homelessness.
“Mr Masterton indicated he wished to stay in Drumchapel and he was advised that local housing association rules meant they would first indicate a suitable property was available before a referral could be made for him.
“To date we have received no indication that a property in line with Mr Masterton’s requirements has become available and so no formal referral can been made.
“Mr Masterton has been given information on his situation any time he has contacted homelessness staff.
“We will review Mr Masterton’s case to explore what other options are available to him.
“We will work with the housing associations in Mr Masterton’s preferred area to see if a suitable home can be identified.”