Report on Glasgow's 'Rights Hubs': helping homeless people in times of crisis

Our 'Rights Hubs' are a joint initiative with Glasgow City Council welfare rights services and Govan Law Centre. We target some of Glasgow’s most vulnerable citizens who need urgent crisis intervention because they are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness. We have published a short report about our work here (opens as PDF).

We provide our services in Glasgow City Mission and The Marie Trust in alternative weeks. We have held over 42 hubs so far, that's 168 hours of legal and welfare rights services to 263 people. At least 90% of people who come and see us get accommodated, everyone gets a benefit check and we have increased the incomes of around 250 people. This is a real difference to people's lives. 

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.

Report on Glasgow's 'Rights Hubs': helping homeless people in times of crisis

Govan Law Centre secures homes for 198 rough sleepers at the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter

A detailed report on Govan Law Centre's (GLC) partnership work with the Glasgow City Mission's Winter Night Shelter is currently being prepared but we are in a position to release some key statistics. 

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Project's Senior Manager, Alastair Sharp said:  "From 3 December 2015 to 31 March 2016, Govan Law Centre provided legal advice and representation and housing and homelessness case work support to homeless persons though two weekly 'Rights Hubs' at the Winter Shelter each week".

"Our legal interventions resulted in 198 rough sleepers in Glasgow securing homes through statutory homelessness services; we wrote over 200 letters for clients (with additional follow-up casework work for many clients) and undertook 32 Rights Hubs averaging 3.5 hours per session. We initiated proceedings in six Judicial Reviews at the Court of Session in Edinburgh securing accommodation and good outcomes for all of our clients".

Govan Law Centre secures homes for 198 rough sleepers at the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter

Independent evaluation evidences overwhemling need for Govan Law Centre's prevention of homelessness service

An independent evaluation by Susan Solomon: Independent Research and Evaluation Specialists has found that Govan Law Centre's prevention of homelessness service has "exceeded expectations", was rated as "overwhelmingly positive" and a "success" by all stakeholders, partners and clients.

The report is published here (opens as a PDF).  An example of some of the views of service users and stakeholders are set out below.

"When I met [GLC] I was in a bad place ... I was sofa surfing ... pregnant ... all sorts was happening ... GLC got me into supported accommodation"
(Female, 27 years old)

"I was sleeping on the streets ... trailing to that Twomax place and Hamish Allan every day for about a fortnight ... every day they said they didn't have anything.  I went to GLC ... totally amazing how it all changed ..."
(Male, 28 years old)

"It's simple and immediate ... that's why it works so well ... right place at the right time".
(Partnership Organisation)

"It's enhanced what we do here tremendously ... that's its strength ... it's a win win for both us and our Users".
(Partnership Organisation)

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Senior Manager Alastair Sharp said:
"Our innovative Rights Hubs Assertive Outreach Service takes the service to the most vulnerable and marginalised  people in Glasgow.  We make sure that our clients are accommodated and that their housing needs are met, along with providing a holistic service which includes welfare rights, social care, access to solicitor/solicitor advocates.  This report provides independent evidence of the overwhelming need for this essential service in Glasgow".

Independent evaluation evidences overwhemling need for Govan Law Centre's prevention of homelessness service

New GLC prevention of homelessness report published online

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Project (POHP) has prevented 1,200 people in the Southside of Glasgow becoming homeless in the last two years. Govan Law Centre has run the Prevention of Homelessness Project in the city's South West based upon the belief that early intervention and holistic multidisciplinary services, tailored to each individual, can help prevent unnecessary evictions.

In our new POHP progress report for the Oak Foundation - which is published online here: 'Download GLC POHP report as PDF' - we explain how our new project has prevented 1,200 people from becoming homeless, saving about £25.5million in public money from December 2010 to December 2012. We believe if the approach of our scheme was extended nationwide it could potentially save the Scottish Government as much as £320m.

Mike Dailly, GLC's principal solicitor, said: "With our project, we show that early intervention works, but also that it has to be co-ordinated. Often people who are in these difficult situations will not go for help early on. We provide not just very fast specialist legal and money advice services, but we can also connect the person with any other services he or she may need."

The project employs a partnership between the centre, Govan Money Matters Advice Centre and Glasgow City Council's Southside Social Work Department, as well as different voluntary organisations, such as the Scottish Association For Mental Health.

It is designed to highlight that eviction and repossession are usually the tip of a whole range of social and associated problems for those who are vulnerable to the risk of homelessness.

The project recognises there are important indicators that could result in problems leading to eviction and homelessness. These could include those in rent arrears or living in poverty, or those with social worries, such as health or mental health problems.

People who look vulnerable are flagged up by the partnership to the Law Centre early on, which can then intervene or refer them to the appropriate support.

Alistair Sharp, GLC's senior project coordinator, said: "We are looking at savings to the public purse and preventing people facing the trauma of eviction and homelessness. Court action can be avoided by early intervention."

New GLC prevention of homelessness report published online

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Partnership makes final of Scotland's social care awards

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Partnership (POHP) - a partnership between Glasgow City Council's South West Community Health Care Partnership, Govan Money Matters Advice Centre and GLC - has been shortlisted for the 2010 Scottish 'Care Accolades Awards'.

This is the 'Oscars' for social care services in Scotland, and we are delighted to have made it to the finals of these prestigious awards.

A short documentary film of the work of the POHP can be seen here (opens in Real Player). This is a powerful 15 minute documentary of the work of Govan Law Centre and it's local partners in Glasgow's Southside with respect to their innovative work to prevent homelessness on a long term, sustained and holistic basis.

GLC's Prevention of Homelessness Partnership makes final of Scotland's social care awards