First-of-its-kind alliance to tackle homelessness in Glasgow

Independent sector organisations have placed bids to become partners in Glasgow’s Alliance to End Homelessness.

The Alliance is the first of its kind in the UK and it will work with the council to reduce the amount of time people spend in homelessness services and will work to increase access to mainstream tenancies.

The end goal of the Alliance is to end rough-sleeping and prevent homelessness.

Work to establish the Alliance began in 2016 when a review highlighted the need to modernise homelessness services in Glasgow.

Two independent sector organisations have bid for the contract, which is worth more than £187m over a maximum of 10 years, they will work with the council to transform the planning, design and delivery of homelessness services in the city.

Everyone’s Home Group has been named the preferred bidder to work with the council, the group is made up of seven organisations: Aspire, Crossreach, Loretto Care, Mungo Foundation, Sacro, Salvation Army and People.

The potential partners will be revealed in a report going before Glasgow councillors next month (February 6).

The council will maintain responsibility for statutory homelessness services and will be heavily involved in the Alliance which will make financial and operational decisions on the provision of services such as street and community outreach services, emergency and supported accommodation, and specific outreach support for young people.

Cllr Mhairi Hunter, Glasgow’s convener for health and social care, said: ‘Glasgow’s Alliance to End Homelessness will be the first of its kind.

‘It is an ambitious and innovative approach to partnership working and offers a significant opportunity to demonstrate that by pooling our resources, skills and considerable expertise, we can deliver our shared ambitions for the transformation of homelessness services.

‘Currently, homelessness services in the city are quite traditional. The Alliance will provide a more inclusive and collaborative approach to service-provision and decision making.

‘It will create more flexible and adaptable services which can react faster to changing demands to help prevent homelessness, end rough sleeping and help people to integrate into their communities when they move out of temporary accommodation and into their own permanent tenancies.’

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