Latest news with #EndtheHomelessHotelShame
Glasgow Times
14-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Brave woman shares experience of Glasgow homeless hotel
After spending more than three months in a city centre hotel, one woman shared her experience of her time there before she was finally able to get into a more suitable unit. A woman she befriended told her she was raped and she told of others having bruising and black eyes. (Image: newsquest) To protect her identity, we are not identifying the woman, who we will call Mary, or the hotel. Mary said: "I was in the hotel and then was told to leave after I intervened and phoned an ambulance when a man was choking. 'He was choking on his vomit on the stairs,' she said. She said staff took him away and she said soon after, she was accused of 'taking drugs and having parties in her room' and told to leave. Mary said: 'I don't take drugs and I didn't have people in the room. 'I was kicked out for helping to save a life.' She said: 'I spent almost a week sleeping rough, in closes, before I managed to get into a better place. Mary said: 'Women are not safe in these places. I saw women being punched. I saw them with bruises and black eyes. 'It was happening inside.' Her own experience, she said, was "frightening". She said: 'I was attacked three times and I had my phone stolen.' Mary added: 'I had a man on the same floor as me making sexual remarks towards me. Then he was banging on my door. "When I complained, the hotel refused to move me or him.' She told how there were some people who looked out for each other and that was the only way she stayed safe. But for one woman she was friends with, that was not enough. Mary said: 'She told me she had been unconscious and was sure she had been raped as she was bruised and sore. I told her to report it to the police but she was too frightened.' She said she is certain this has happened to other women. Mary told of her relief at finally securing a room in a safer place. She broke down in tears as she described a simple act that most people take for granted. Mary said: 'I have a clean room with en-suite and the use of a small kitchen. The first night there, I slept like a baby. 'I was able to go to the shops and buy some pasta and sauce and cook my own hot meal for the first time in months.' In the hotel, she said, she was offered a donut for breakfast. She added: 'I didn't know the places to get free food and was spending all the money I got on expensive ready-made or takeaway food.' The Glasgow Times has been running the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign, calling for improved conditions for people who find themselves at risk of rough sleeping. The number of women housed in the hotels has increased in the last year to more than 300 as the number of homeless people goes up. Glasgow City Council declared a housing emergency in December 2023 and is struggling to cope with rapidly rising demand for services. There have been calls to create women-only emergency accommodation in the city to offer better protection. The council policy is to phase out the use of hotels but in the face of the demand has instead had to increase its use, spending tens of millions of pounds a year on hotel and B&Bs. There is no policy of separating men and women in the hotels used for homeless people. A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'The council has rejected the idea of creating single sex bed and breakfast accommodation due to the potential for these establishments being targeted by predatory males. 'In relation to the use of bed and breakfast type accommodation for single women, we have worked with wider partners and the owners of these properties to put in place safeguarding policies that reflect the risks in relation to Violence Against Women and Girls. 'We also work with Police Scotland and the owners of bed and breakfast type accommodation to respond robustly to any risks to women from predatory behaviour. "We are not aware of any recent sexual violent attacks on female service users residing in bed and breakfast/hotel accommodation."
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Outcome of inspections at 8 Glasgow homeless hotels revealed
In May, the Glasgow Times reported how the council revealed it had begun an environmental health inspection programme on the hotels and B&Bs and a number of issues were highlighted. The Glasgow Times requested copies of the reports, which uncovered a catalogue of health and safety concerns. Eight hotels were inspected over five months, which were follow-ups to previous visits when concerns were identified and action requested. The issues found within the initial inspections for each hotel show some hotels in a worse state than others but each had problems Last year the Glasgow Times started the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign, highlighting the experiences of people who had lived in the hotels. READ NEXT: End the Homeless Hotel Shame In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. Following the inspections, Pat Togher, Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership, said owners welcomed and embraced the recommendations. He said: 'They have reacted quickly to address any issues highlighted to them following the inspections.' Inspections undertaken focused on: Management of Legionella; Asbestos Management Plans; Health & Safety; Management of Hazardous substances; Inspection Checklists; Cleanliness; Pest control; Management of Falls from Height; Window Restrictors etc. Rennie Mackintosh Hotel in Union Street was inspected on April 5, 2024, a revisit after one in February 2024. (Image: Robert Perry) The report found: 'Pest activity noted by a contractor, further highlighted by Police Scotland who indicated that mouse or rat droppings had been observed. 'Most recent pest control reports highlighted a number of areas where pests could gain access and that these require to be filled in.' READ NEXT: We fact check the claim no-one uses Glasgow's new cycle lanes. A number of bedrooms were visited during the inspection and found to be in a generally satisfactory condition. However, the following issues were identified whilst inspecting this small sample: 'Mould on the wall within the en-suite; tap at the wash hand basin loose and moving around. 'Bedroom door damaged; mould within the shower area. 'Scorch mark on bedding, bedding dirty, flooring within en-suite damaged. • 'Some bathroom floor tiles damaged, drawers damaged.' It was also noted: 'Needles and syringes had been found by staff, and a blood-stained mattress was seen. And it was reported: 'Staff can be exposed to episodes of violent and aggressive behaviour from clients.' READ NEXT:Women in Glasgow jail get food spending cut by 25 per cent Smith's Hotel Sauchiehall Street, Kelvingrove was inspected on December 12, 2024 and March 7, 2025. A previous inspection had taken place on November 11, 2024. During the inspection it was noted there had been 'a significant number of recorded visits to the hotel by a Pest Control Contractor' following complaints from residents about pest activity or bed bugs. The hotel was told: 'Consequently, you require to take additional proactive measures to address the issue whereby pests are gaining access to the Hotel. 'I would suggest that the Pest Control Contractor carries out a comprehensive survey to identify potential access points and to take appropriate action to have these areas adequately sealed.' Ten bedrooms were inspected, with the following issues identified within a number of rooms: 'No restrictors on any windows within the rooms to prevent a person from falling a distance out of the window. 'An electric bike was located. 'A number of rooms were affected by the storage of large quantities of food (including open food) and also the storage of suitcases, clothing, and electric items. 'A number of the shower heads within some of the rooms were extremely dirty and require immediate cleaning and disinfection. 'In addition to this, there was damaged and dirty sealant around the base of shower cubicles, which require to be repaired and/or cleaned/disinfected.' 'Bed bugs were found within bed linen', and 'this room required to be vacated and treated as a matter of urgency.' READ NEXT:Report warns Glasgow's Barlinnie prison breaches this UN rule Queens Park Hotel Balvicar Drive, in the Southside, was inspected in June 2023, a revisit after a May 12, 2023 visit. It had found damaged floor tiles. In some rooms, 'bedding was dirty (blood stains were evident on some bedding)'. A bed frame and a chair were damaged. Rooms were dirty (e.g., window sills, walls, floors, below mattresses, behind beds). The inspector reported: 'During discussions with one of the cleaners, it was identified that he could come across 20-25 needles per week when cleaning rooms and in one room recently came across 10 needles.' Cleaners were not aware of procedures for dealing with sharps. During the inspection, blood was observed on a bed sheet and blood splattering on a room wall. It stated 'This type of contamination is considered as hazardous.' Alexander Thomson Hotel Argyle Street, with 161 rooms, is one of the biggest used by the council for homeless people, with up to 200 people accommodated there. (Image: Newsquest) The Hotel was generally satisfactory but it was stated pest controllers had found evidence of cockroaches in a room. Three rooms were inspected and were satisfactory. Bedding is stripped every four days and the condition was satisfactory. Window restrictors were observed within the rooms inspected and confirmed to be working satisfactorily Pest control visited after a complaint about bed bugs. No evidence was found but there was evidence of cockroaches in one room. (Image: Newsquest) Chez Nous, in Hillhead Street, in the west end, was inspected on March 11 2025 Issues highlighted in previous inspection in February 2024 included a legionella risk. The report stated: 'A Legionella Risk Assessment was carried out within the premises on 13 June 2023, with a recommended Review Date of 13 June 2025. 'A recent annual Legionella Inspection was carried out by H2O Legionella Control Services on 3 January 2024, which identified a number of non-compliances (i.e., hot/cold water temperatures not recorded on a regular basis, inconsistent shower cleaning records, no flushing records, recommend training for staff to improve monitoring and record keeping, etc.) with legionella control measures.' Window safety was highlighted. During the inspection it was noted that 'a number of windows were not opening correctly and therefore, there was little or no fresh air coming into the room'. Copland Hotel, Copland Road, Ibrox was inspected on June 6, 2023 A previous inspection found a pest control contractor has indicated 'rat activity' within the rear garden area. It was noted on the follow up there was 'no current pest activity'. The inspectors also found damaged flooring and trip hazards, which have since been repaired. There were signs that residents were smoking in rooms and the ground flood female toilet was in a dirty condition. There was a 'damaged cooker' and 'dirty bedding' need more regular cleaning. Concerns were also highlighted about residents' behaviour. The report revealed around 12 needles had recently been removed from a sink overflow and staff were exposed to violent behaviour. St Enoch Hotel Howard Street, city centre was visited on April 4, 2025, a revisit from February 25, 2025. (Image: Newsquest) Damaged flooring and trip hazards were reported. Rooms were 'generally satisfactory' but inspectors observed cracked class, scorch marks, water damage on a ceiling in one room and no shower in an en-suite. Two rooms had no showers and there was water penetration, with a bucket on the floor catching water. Needles were found almost daily, including one incident which caused injury to a housekeeper. Tartan Lodge in Alexandra Parade, was inspected on 17 October 2024 after an initial visit on September 13 A basement room had no ventilation with a window unable to be opened. There were dirty showers in two rooms, and water damage was reported.
Glasgow Times
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
More than 450 Glasgow homeless refused hotel room in a month
Between April 1 and May 1, on 456 occasions, people were turned away when they said they needed somewhere to stay that night. The council said it happens when there are no spaces available, and it is seeking extra resources to deal with the housing emergency. READ NEXT:Glasgow's drug consumption centre is working says health secretary Figures also show almost 100 people have been found rough sleeping this year. The housing emergency has led to huge demand for homeless accommodation and the latest count saw 1972 people in hotels and B&Bs in the city. Of those, 1417 were people with refugee status having been granted leave to remain in the UK. There were 314 women also living in the hotels and B&Bs and 71 families. The number of people who reported sleeping rough before they made their homelessness application in the first five months of the year was 433. The Simon Community, which conducts counts of rough sleepers, said it found 97 people sleeping rough. The Glasgow Times has been running the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign, highlighting the conditions people are subject in some of the 40 hotels used by the council. The latest FOI revealed the hotel owners were paid £4.1m in the month of April alone. The figures were revealed to the Scottish Tenants Organisation by Glasgow City Council under Freedom of Information. READ NEXT:'Don't blame us': Taxis hit back in Glasgow city centre transport row Sean Clerkin, campaign co-ordinator, said: 'The very high numbers of those sleeping rough on the streets of Glasgow is testament to the housing and homeless emergency that has engulfed the city of Glasgow. "Even more alarming is the fact that Glasgow City Council has illegally refused accommodation to over 450 people in only four weeks recently is completely unacceptable. 'The rising costs of homelessness for the Council in paying over £4m to private hotel operators in one month recently if projected for 12 months will mean paying out nearly £50 million over the next year. This is also unacceptable. 'The Scottish Government has to give Glasgow City Council much more money to build tens of thousands of social rented homes to eradicate homelessness as the current budget for 2025/26 at just over £115 million is lower than the affordable housing budget for Glasgow in 2021/22. 'In addition, the British Government has to give Glasgow additional monies to properly house refugees in the city. 'We need action now not more words that mean nothing. A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'We're duty bound to find and provide emergency accommodation to those affected by homelessness. Unfortunately, the increasing demand for homeless accommodation in Glasgow means there are times when we haven't been able to do so. 'This happens when there is no accommodation available despite operating in more than 40 hotels across the city to accommodate those who we have a confirmed duty for. 'There is no quick alternative. We are in continual dialogue with both Governments about these challenges and to seek the additional resources necessary to address the challenges we are facing. 'We continue to work with a range of partners to expand emergency accommodation that will provide an alternative to bed and breakfast type accommodation.'
Glasgow Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Inspections at 7 Glasgow homeless hotels find 'defects'
Environmental health inspections at a number of hotels and B&Bs used for homeless people in Glasgow have led to 'defects and issues' being identified. Last year, the Glasgow Times launched the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign to highlight the conditions people were enduring when in need of accommodation. One of the asks of the campaign was for the council to carry out an inspection regime to ensure owners, who are paid millions of pounds a year, comply with decent standards. In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. The campaign heard firsthand from people who lived in the hotels and they reported dirty conditions with stained mattresses and bedding, rats and mice and drug taking and violence going unchecked. The council has revealed it started an inspection programme in November last year and has carried out 18 visits on seven properties up until April this year. Inspections undertaken focused on: Management of Legionella; Asbestos Management Plans; Health & Safety; Management of Hazardous substances; Inspection Checklists; Cleanliness; Pest control; Management of Falls from Height; Window Restrictors etc. Pat Togher, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, has revealed the inspections in a report to councillors. He said: 'A summary of the seven inspections noted a number of defects and or issues that have been identified by Environmental Services staff. 'The defects and or issues were not uniformly identified across all the sites. Each site inspected, demonstrated varying degrees of compliance and understanding of requirements and legislation. 'In response to the inspections and continued dialogue with the HSCP the management of the hotels and bed & breakfast have all responded positively and constructively to the inspection reports and subsequent recommendations. 'This has resulted in no enforcement notices being served on the owners of the establishments with all owners welcoming and embracing the recommendations. 'They have reacted quickly to address any issues highlighted to them following the Inspections.' He added: 'There is now a greater understanding of what is required with regards to the management of health and safety within the hotels and bed & breakfast sites. Consequently, HSCP staff are now also better equipped to understand key areas to note when visiting establishments and engaging with hotel and bed & breakfast managers.'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeless hotel owners see a massive jump in cash from council
The owners of hotels used to house homeless people in Glasgow have seen a huge increase in income from the council. In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. Demand for homeless accommodation has rocketed, and the council said it is seeking help from the UK and Scottish governments. READ NEXT:Families could be stuck on housing list for more than 100 years in Glasgow The cash paid to owners, some of who own several hotels, has rocketed by almost 70% in a year. In 2023/24 it was £26, 724,422. Last year, the total bill was £45,292,346. The year before the bill was £20,368,474, meaning the money paid to open increased by 122% in just two years. The Glasgow Times launched the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign to highlight the conditions people were living in. Mike Dailly, Solicitor Advocate at Govan Law Centre has called for a new approach where the public sector provides accommodation. He said: "It is lunacy and such a waste of Scottish taxpayers and Glasgow council taxpayers' money to keep throwing millions of pounds at poor quality and super expensive homeless hotels in our city. People should have dignity and taxpayers should get value for money. 'We need to build our own temporary accommodation and work with housing associations to build temporary accommodation. That would ensure high-quality temporary homes for homeless people. It really is a no-brainer. READ NEXT:Glasgow councillor removed from powerful city committee The bill could have been higher as not everyone who needs it is able to get a room in one of the 40 hotels. The data also revealed that on 3058 occasions, someone was refused emergency accommodation in the last year. The council said this is because all rooms were full. The information was requested by the Scottish Tenants Organisation. Sean Clerkin, campaign director, said: 'The housing and homeless disaster in Glasgow only worsens, ruining the lives of thousand of men, women and children, whether they be the new refugee to the city or the family that was evicted yesterday for rent arrears in Maryhill. 'The profiteers of homeless misery continue to make their tens of millions of pounds unabated, with no improvement in the basic conditions of the homeless, especially women and children and 3,058 people are still refused homeless accommodation. Those sleeping on the streets of Glasgow doubled in number from 154 to 323 in the space of weeks. He agreed with Mr Dailly on a new approach. Mr Clerkin added: Mike Dailly the top housing lawyer and columnist for the Glasgow Times has repeatedly stated correctly that tens of millions of pounds can be re-directed to Glasgow City Council to directly build good quality temporary accommodation especially safe single sex halfway accommodation for women and children and then move them rapidly on to safe and secure permanent homes. 'This cannot and must not be allowed to continue, as there has to be a housing revolution in Glasgow.' A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: 'We're duty-bound to find and provide emergency accommodation to those affected by homelessness. "We are having to spend more and more on hotels and bed & breakfast use in our attempts to meet the increasing demand for accommodation and avoid people having to sleep rough. 'Unfortunately, we are aware of a rise in the number of refusals for accommodation - this happens when there is no accommodation available. We currently use 40 hotels across the city to accommodate those whom we have a confirmed duty for. 'There is no quick alternative. We are in continual dialogue with both Governments about these challenges and continue to seek the additional resources necessary to address the challenges we are facing.'
