Homeless bill surge criticised by charity

Published on 22/12/2012 00:46

A LOCAL authority which spent more than £1.7 million housing the homeless in private rooms has been criticised by a leading charity.

Glasgow City Council spent the money to house 800 homeless families in hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts last year. The amount was £200,000 more than the year before, despite homelessness applications falling.

Charity Shelter Scotland said the rise reflected a lack of council provided temporary accommodation. The most expensive single payment for a hotel was £223, paid to a family of five fleeing a domestic abuser. Gordon McRae from Shelter said: “There simply isn’t enough temporary accommodation. The government needs to spend £10,000 a year to build new homes to meet demand.”