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james73

End of era as council shuts last homeless hostel

AS STAFF lock the doors of empty bedrooms in James Duncan House in Glasgow's
East End for the final time, there is relief - and also sadness - in the air.

The city's last all-male, council-run homeless hostel closed yesterday, after 30
years providing a roof over the heads of the homeless.

Two similar hostels have already shut and those who work in James Duncan
House in Bell Street, Calton, admit they will not be missed by the local community.

However, they also say it marks a new beginning for some of Glasgow's most
vulnerable citizens.

For many of the men at the basic 250-place hostel it was the place they called
home.

A large number had mental health problems or learning difficulties, while many
more were addicted to alcohol or drugs.

Over the last few months places have been found for all the residents in smaller,
community-based resettlement projects across the city and in private lets.

Some staff are moving with the men, others are taking redundancy.

The facilities in the new accommodation are far better, and the staff are specially
trained to deal with the complex problems surrounding homelessness.

But that does not mean there is not sadness that John Duncan House has closed.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

cybers · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:10 am Post subject:

Somebody phone scary .... Get him in there before they change their mind...
The amount of times i have almost hit one of these drunked up junked up citizens is beyond belief.
If they are not staggering out in front of the traffic oblivious to the world then they are boxing in the street oblivious to the world.

I wonder where they will be moving them to.... I also thought the hostel at townhead was still open ?

Though i will need to find somewhere else to buy cut price razor blades (cough cough)
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MY FLICKR
Smile let them think your crazy.... Dont Speak to confirm it !!!

lise · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

The former Bell St. residents have been rehoused in various parts of the city.Some through specialist housing organizations, others through private lets, some ( most ) are in "temporary " accommodation.
The older, more vulnerable who were still living in JD House as of Sunday will be going to a purpose built facility in Bridgeton.
Don't expect these people to go away. This is, after all, where some of them have stayed for years and it's an area where they feel comfortable.
They'll congregate to socialise and conduct business as usual in what they consider to be their "bit".Besides, many of them use Hunter St., which definitely isn't going anywhere.

Lise
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If a man does not keep pace with his companions...

james73 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

james73 · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

Home of new hope (New jaikey hostel opens)

IT'S easy to see why Robert, Raymond and Andy love their new home. With
its light, airy, well-equipped rooms and tranquil garden, it is a world away
from their former abode, an outdated 250-bed hostel.

All three men are in their 50s, and have been homeless for many years. And
each is fighting a long battle with alcohol.

Historically, vulnerable people like Raymond and Robert have been difficult
to help.

But new housing projects such as this one - Fordneuk Street Continuing Drinkers
Supported Accommodation Project in Bridgeton - mark a different approach
by offering homeless people more than just a roof over their heads.

They offer hope; one-to-one support from staff, personalised care plans, nutritious
food, health and training facilities, all in a warm, safe environment.

The Evening Times previously met Robert and Raymond last month, just as
they were preparing to leave James Duncan House in Bell Street, Carntyne,
Glasgow's last all-male, council-run hostel.

The Evening Times reported how the 250-bed hostel was closing after 30 years,
as part of Glasgow City Council's £15million new strategy for tackling
homelessness in the city.

A large number of the men who used James Duncan House and other hostels
had mental health problems or learning difficulties, while many others were
addicted to drink or drugs.

The facilities were basic to say the least, and committed staff members spoke
of how it could be difficult to keep the place running smoothly because of
problem residents, especially some of the younger men with drug and
aggression problems.

Regardless of this, it had been home to Robert and Raymond for years, and
they were worried about moving on.

But after just a couple of weeks at the £4.2m project, which is run by Loretto
Care, a community-based housing association and social care service, it's clear
that they are already reaping the benefits of their new home.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

monument · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:57 am Post subject:

"Fordneuk Street Continuing Drinkers Supported Accommodation Project"

Is that for real? We now have continuing drinkers instead of alcoholics? I love it!

I also love the fact that they don't all live round the corner from me anymore.
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A vagabond on the way.

Chief Inspector · Bag of chips Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 147

Probably got flats up your close now

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evening all

james73 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

Close this hostel . . . it's making our lives a misery (Evening Times)

ANGRY East End residents are demanding that one of Glasgow's oldest
homeless hostels is shut down.

Angela Lauder, who lives behind the Bellgrove Hotel in Gallowgate, claims
local streets have become a no-go area for women, children and the
elderly because of anti-social behaviour involving homeless men.

The 45-year-old mum of two says she's witnessed fights between hostel
residents and visitors, and says families are afraid to use the corner shop
or walk near groups of alcoholics who congregate in the street.

Angela, a shop worker, has lived in her Comelypark Street home with son
Jordan, 15, daughter Aimee, 13, and 74-year-old father Patrick for six
years.

She said: "Living next to the Bellgrove is a total nightmare. I don't let my
kids play near the house, and my dad rarely goes out alone."

The manager of the Bellgrove Hotel, which is across the road from St
Mungo's Academy, described allegations of troublemaking as "totally
unfounded". And police said the hostel was "not of immediate concern".

The Bellgrove has been a homeless hostel since the 1970s and has 160
residents, who almost all who have serious alcohol problems.

Some are referred there by homeless workers on an emergency basis
and stay for a few weeks, while others have lived there for more than 30
years.

According to Angela, the problems escalated earlier this year when
Glasgow City Council closed hostels as part of a shake-up of homeless
services.

Angela said: "The men moved here en masse.

"I used to feel sorry for people in that situation, but not any more.

"Now I drive all the way to Bridgeton for a pint of milk instead of walking
to the local shop a few yards away."

One of her neighbours, who did not want to be named, added: "The hostel
is an eyesore - there are undesirables hanging around all the time."

As reported earlier this year in the Evening Times, social work chiefs
believe smaller, specialist units will better solve the homeless problems.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

glasgowken · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

james73 · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

Hostel plan overturned (Evening Times)

RELIEVED residents have won their fight to stop a Glasgow hotel being
turned into a homeless hostel.

The city council gave the go ahead for the Old Schoolhouse Hotel - next
to Glasgow School of Art in Garnethill - to be turned into emergency
accommodation for 21 people.

But local residents were incensed and more than 150 packed a public
meeting to complain about the move.

Now Ken McMillan, owner of the Old Schoolhouse Hotel, has contacted the
Evening Times to say the hostel plan has been scrapped.

Instead the entire building will be leased to Glasgow School of Art - one of
the main objectors to the hostel plan - to accommodate people from
Britain and overseas who visit the college.

Mr McMillan has written to the objectors to tell them of the new scheme.

His letter states: "We are pleased to advise you we have agreed to lease
the building to our neighbours, Glasgow School of Art.

"We are confident the lease ensures proper maintenance of the building,
gardens and also the general management required to satisfy your right
to a peaceful environment which the Old Schoolhouse has allowed in the
past."

Mr McMillan, who has owned the Old Schoolhouse Hotel for 12 years,
refused to say if he had scrapped the hostel plan as a result of public
pressure stating only: "It is a change of policy."

Protester Michael Shearsby reacted with delight when informed of the
decision by the Evening Times.

He said: "We have won our case and I am over the moon. I am in shock
but it is excellent news for the local community."

Anderston/City councillor Gordon Matheson said he had been working to
address the concerns of residents but insisted the issues went beyond the
Garnethill area.

He added: "Everyone has supported the council's decision to close large
hostels and stop using bed and breakfast provision.

"However, the homeless must go somewhere and this requires the
development of a variety of alternatives, including smaller-scale projects
which are well managed."

Art school director Seona Reid said: "The Old Schoolhouse Hotel will
provide good quality accommodation for up to 30 students in an ideal
location."

Julie Robertson, who has lived in Renfrew Street for 15 years, said: "I
find it incredible that the location would be proposed - let alone
sanctioned - given it is next door to St Aloysius secondary and around the
corner from two primaries, two nursery schools and opposite the art
school."

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...