Glasgow’s ‘Homelessness Rights Hubs’ making real difference to people’s lives
A project which targets some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable citizens who need urgent intervention because they are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness is successfully helping people in times of crisis, a report has revealed.
The ‘Homelessness Rights Hubs’, a joint initiative between Glasgow City Council’s welfare rights services and Govan Law Centre, provides services in Glasgow City Mission and The Marie Trust in alternative weeks.
A report into the service found that it has held over 42 hubs so far, accounting for 168 hours of legal and welfare rights services to 263 people.
According to the report, at least 90 per cent of people who use the service get accommodated, everyone gets a benefit check and the hubs have increased the incomes of around 250 people.
A spokesperson for Govan Law Centre said: “This is a model of legal advice we have been developing for some time. Govan Law Centre has long believed it is not enough to wait for people to come to us. We need to go to them. We are continuing to look at ways to ensure our rights hubs can expand and improve.
“Our experience is that by providing a holistic package of services - welfare rights, financial inclusion, financial capability, money advice and housing and homelessness advice with full qualified solicitor services at the first point of engagement - we are able to do so much more for people who really need our assistance.
“These hubs have had a significant positive impact and improved the outcomes for hundreds of people in Glasgow. We hope this short report explains the work we do and gives you a flavour of the impact we are making.”