Glasgow residents who find themselves suddenly unable to afford their rent payments may be able to obtain help. Tenants can get financial relief through one of the many aid programmes, schemes and charitable organisations serving the community. There are grants that help help rent arrears, loans, and government housing schemes. Together these community partners tackle the causes of homelessness. By helping tenants control rental arrears, the hope is that fewer Glasgow residents will find themselves sleeping rough.
Many tenants are tempted to take drastic measures when the landlord demands late rent be paid. Desperate tenants often make major financial blunders that can cause their financial situation to deteriorate rapidly. While Glasgow-based lenders are quick to step in to “lend a hand”, smart citizens examine the grant-based aid offered by charity and council programmes.
Glasgow City Council is often the first step towards getting help when rental arrears accumulate. Council does not want families to be evicted. Evictions lead to bad credit and instability within the household. The financial woes that follow a family after an eviction contribute to chronic homelessness, which can be particularly difficult to correct.
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is one particular benefit that could be a possibility for some tenants. People who are used to a certain income level might not realise that they qualify for this important rent subsidy. Perhaps a family member is out of work, or the primary wage earner may have experienced an hours reduction. Many people on zero hour contracts have reported much lower income levels over the past couple of years.
Glasgow City Council pays directly to tenants who are responsible for making on-time rent payments. In some cases, Council may pay such funds directly to landlords as a safeguard against tenants misusing the funds.
Council also administers the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund which is used to provide cash aid to tenants in dire need of support. Requests for funds to prevent an eviction are a priority of the Fund. Particular importance may be placed on applicants who can normally afford to pay their rent, but have found themselves in arrears due to a temporary financial crisis. The Fund is primarily used to reduce a hardship and is not intended to be a recurring form of support. Tenants seeking emergency aid should contact Glasgow City Council at 0141 287 5050. A Discretionary Housing Payment Application form will need to be submitted for consideration. Applicants do not need to be receiving full Housing Benefit to qualify for emergency aid through the Fund.
Temporary Housing is provided through one of the 2,000 furnished flats that are administered by area housing associations. Council staff can assist with a referral into one of these homes under qualifying circumstances.
Up to 54 individuals who are being evicted may find safe shelter at Clyde Place Assessment Centre. The facility provides emergency accommodation when an eviction forces out a tenant before they are able to secure assistance or catch up on arrears. The Hamish Allan Centre provides help to those who expect to be homeless. Office hours are nights and weekends.
Homelessness Services manages the casework on behalf of Glasgow City Council. Clients may request aid by contacting their local Council office. Community Casework Teams are primarily based out of three service centres.
Separately an Asylum and Refugee Support Team serves migrant populations at the Hamish Allan Centre (Call 0800 838 502 or 0141 287 1800). Refugees may alternately call 0141 276 8245 for the Refugee Support Service. The Prison Casework Service is also administered by Council.
Glasgow’s Advices and Information Network (GAIN) provides a consolidated helpline for emergency rent situations. Tenants may call 0808 801 1011 for a referral to an aid service. This GAIN Helpline is administered by Glasgow Housing Association, Social Work Services and registered social landlords. These community partners collaborate to ensure that tenants who need help curing rent arrears can avoid evictions, thereby preventing homelessness.
GEMAP Scotland provides a free advice service to help families who are late on rent payments. Specialists assist with housing benefit applications and appeals. Tenants gain early intervention support, making the organisation a great asset to those who seek advice early in their eviction fight. Clients may call 0141 773 5850 to receive advice and assistance at the Aberdalgie Road office.
Tenants who need legal intervention on an eviction may find that the independent Govan Law Centre may be particularly helpful. Govan Law Centre provides legal aid at no charge. While the service is based on Orkney Street, it provides a Prevention of Homelessness Team that visits Council’s Community Casework Service locations each week. Tenants who have received an eviction notice may call 0141 440 2503.
Shelter specialists can work with each tenant to find a favourable outcome to a delinquent rent situation. Clients may call the national hotline at 0808 800 4444.
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) meets with tenants who cannot afford their rent payment due to an emergency crisis that is causing them to fall behind. GHA provides direct appointments and frequently hosts specialists from area Citizens Advice Bureau and Money Advice Centres. GHA tenants may call 0800 479 7979 or request assistance through a GHA staff member.
There are also dozens of housing charities that provide grants to Glasgow residents who cannot afford to pay their rent. Some of these grant opportunities are featured on this website. Those fearful of homelessness could receive direct grant aid in some situations. A major share of charities that provide emergency rental assistance grants in Glasgow either prefer or require a referral by a specialist at a community organisation, Glasgow City Council or through one of the Money Advice Centres or Citizens Advice Bureau offices. Specialists are familiar with the most common aid charities and can provide help with the application if a grant is determined to be an essential component of an overall action plan and aid package.
Older people in Glasgow, pensioners, and families may all receive linkage to financial as well as rent help from this free service. Advisors from the scheme, which can be reached at 0800 085 7145, will provide tenants with information on benefits they can get (for housing), money management and budgeting advice and other services.
The Health Check will not provide grants directly for paying rent, but they give information. The advisors can also help families with filling out forms to charitable and government schemes. A main goal is to help the tenants pay their rent in a crisis and stay in their flat or home.
There are also several Citizens Advice Bureau and Money Advice Centre services throughout Glasgow. Any charity can refer a client to these free services so that a financially distressed tenant does not become homeless.
Glasgow Central Citizens Advice Bureau is a free service available to all residents of Glasgow. Anyone who needs emergency rent aid and advice to prevent an eviction can find relief through a meeting with one of the specialists on staff. Residents may call 0141 552 5556 to obtain an appointment at the Bell Street office. Appointments are available at Glasgow City Council on John Street (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Residents of North East Glasgow may contact the Royston Road office at 0141 770 7869.
In some cases, Citizens Advice will refer the tenant to other agencies. As an example, clients that require legal representation in a landlord dispute may instead request an appointment at the Legal Services Agency on Renfrew Street. They can help the family deal with rent arrears or landlord disputes, among other services. Learn more on the Legal Services Agency programmes in Glasgow.
The Salvation Centre in Camden works in partnership with the Cambria House, local council, and…
The Midlothian Council provides financial help to the poor, people on benefits, the jobless, or…
With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, many people have found themselves facing redundancy or the…
Hackney borough residents with an eviction notice or that are homeless can get help paying…
Rent deposit help is available in the Lambeth borough from a scheme that is run…
Government funds can help families or individuals pay for housing costs in Croydon. Using the…