Glasgow Housing Crisis: Private Rented Sector Could Help Tackle Rising Homelessness
Calls are growing for Glasgow to make greater use of the private rented sector to tackle homelessness, as the city faces mounting pressure following missed affordable housing targets.
With rising construction costs, development delays and increasing demand putting Scotland’s housing system under strain, housing organisations are warning that people experiencing homelessness cannot simply wait for new homes to be built.
Janet Haugh, CEO of Scottish charity Right There, says increasing affordable housing in Glasgow must remain a priority – but existing properties could provide a crucial short-term solution to the city’s escalating housing emergency.
Turning Existing Homes Into Immediate Solutions
Right There is working with Glasgow City Council, private landlords and letting agents to make better use of existing homes across the city.
The organisation now helps manage almost 600 properties in Glasgow, providing safe and furnished temporary accommodation while residents wait for permanent housing.
Unlike hotels and guest houses, using private rented homes for temporary accommodation allows people to live within established communities, remain close to family and essential services, and benefit from greater stability.
The approach could also help reduce pressure on councils facing significant temporary accommodation demand while new social and affordable housing developments progress.
Tackling Scotland’s Housing Emergency
Glasgow’s challenges reflect wider pressures facing the Scottish housing sector, including construction costs, limited housing supply and growing homelessness.
While increasing the number of affordable and social homes in Scotland remains central to solving the crisis, existing private rented properties can potentially be brought into use considerably faster than new developments can be completed.
Haugh argues that the private rented sector should therefore form part of a broader response combining new housebuilding, homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation and partnership working.
The long-term goal remains providing everyone with a safe, secure and permanent home. However, with thousands of people requiring accommodation now, housing organisations, councils, landlords and the third sector will need to work together to deliver immediate solutions.
Glasgow’s housing emergency cannot be solved through housebuilding alone. Making better use of existing homes while accelerating affordable housing delivery could provide the stability people need today – without waiting years for housing supply to catch up with demand.
