Council tells charity it ‘ can’t provide building for homeless food kitchen’
A CHARITY has been told that the council cannot help providing it with premises for its food kitchen as it said it has ‘ nowhere that meets its stated requirements’.
Homeless Project Scotland has been serving hot food to people three nights a week under the Hielanman’s Umbrella in Argyle Street but says it is not suitable in the cold and has been asking the city council to help by providing a building it can use to take people inside for food and offer other services.
A number of incidents involving violence in the area have also taken place that the charity feels puts its volunteers and service users at risk.
Last month, Homeless Project Scotland staged a protest outside the City Chambers by setting up a soup kitchen to highlight its campaign.
The council said the charity has rejected two offers and has now changed its requirements to ask for somewhere to accommodate more people and allow it to open 24 hours a day.
The charity rejected a building in
Cadogan Street in the city centre as it considered it to be in an unsafe area.
The council said an offer to use the St Francis Centre in Gorbals has also been turned down.
Earlier this week, Colin McInnes of Homeless Project Scotland explained why they turned down offers.
He said: “They offer us solutions which are not suitable. Meanwhile, there are over 200 people queuing in the streets, people are cold and a
74- year- old woman was asking yesterday when she would have a warm building to sit in.
“We would like a building that is wind and watertight, has got heat and is in a city centre location. It would preferably have a kitchen facility but we are not saying that has to happen because that is a bit unreasonable.” A spokesman for the council said: “Argyle Street is not suitable for delivering support to vulnerable groups but offers of suitable accommodation have been rejected by Homeless Project Scotland.
“Most recently, the renovated St Francis Centre in Gorbals was offered to HPS to deliver their evening soup kitchen. The centre has capacity for 200 people and opens until 9pm with the offer of flexibility around opening times to suit their operation.
“This offer has been rejected with HPS indicating it now wants a building with 24/ 7 availability and a capacity exceeding 200 people.
“Unfortunately, we do not have a suitable building that matches the change in requirements set out by the charity.”
The council said its services will continue to provide for people who are homeless or sleeping rough
The spokesman added: “We know the charity has reached out to other property holders and it is right that they take the broadest possible approach with their search for a venue.
“In the meantime, the Glasgow Alliance To End Homelessness continues to provide support, food and accommodation to those experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, while the network of Welcome Places will this winter provide warmth and facilities to city residents.”
Homeless Project Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Argyle Street is not suitable for delivering support to vulnerable groups