Charity begins refugee evictions in Glasgow

Y-People: Locks changed despite promises from Chief Executive.

Despite assurances, Scottish charity Y-people has started the eviction of up to 100 refugees ahead of the transfer of housing contract to Serco.

Update, 14 May

At least four refugees have been evicted in the last week, their locks changed while they were out. Please use the new template letter, or write your own, to appeal to YPeople Chief Executive Joe Connolly to stop these lock-outs, and stick to the promises he made to Glasgow City councillors and campaigners last month.

Muhammad Abdel Munion, of Sudan is now homeless, after returning to his home of 2 years on Tuesday to find his locks changed. Muhammad had not received any proper notification that he was going to be made homeless from his landlord, Scottish charity Y-People.

In March of this year, Y-people, formerly YMCA, announced it was ending it’s ‘no-evictions’ policy, which had allowed refugees refused asylum, who would otherwise be homeless and destitute, to stay in Y-people flats. Support groups in the city have been pressing Ypeople to allow the residents more time.

On the 25th April at a City Chambers meeting, Y-People Chief Executive, Joe Connolly, assured councillors, refugees and campaigners that there would be no evicitions until August, that “no locks would be changed” and legal due-process would be adhered to.

Campaigners found out about Muhammad’s case when he sought refuge at the Glasgow Destitution Network Night Shelter. Muhammad arrived with nothing but the clothes he was wearing as he had still not received any of his belongings and it was only after campaigners put pressure on senior management did staff agree to return his belongings to him 2 days later.

Muhammad’s story comes 2 weeks after Joe Connolly, Chief Executive of Y-People publicly stated that no locks would be changed without proper legal action being taken to remove people from the properties before they are handed back to property owners.

During the public meeting Joe Connelly “agreed to send a letter out to people explaining the processes and giving dates of when things will be taking place”. No letters have been received by Muhammad, nor have any of the individuals we’ve been in touch with reported receiving such a letter.

Once again Y-People have failed to deal with vulnerable asylum seekers and their supporters in a fair and honest manner. Joe Connolly stated that “they are looking at the most humane way of asking people to move on”. By using dirty tricks and giving unclear messages they have created fear amongst the asylum seeking community. Some individuals, terrified by the threat of eviction, have gone into hiding.

Muhammad is among around 100 asylum seekers who have had their initial asylum claim refused but are unable or unwilling to return to their homes. Many of these people, are victim to administrative errors and poor decision making on the part of UKBA, yet are now facing imminent homelessness.

We’re calling on those concerned about this situation to write to Y-People, expressing your concerns at their dishonest practice and ask them to adhere to due process. Attached is a template letter which can be sent to:

[email protected]

Joe Connolly
Chief Executive, YPeople
William Harte House
15 Dava Street
GLASGOW G51 2JA

**The Night Shelter has been providing much needed support to those left completely destitute since November 2011: they rely on public support to continue. If you can support the Night Shelter financially, please do so by donating money to the “Glasgow Destitute Asylum Seeker Night Drop In” account at any Lloyds TSB branch, account No: 75140563 and sort Code: 87-37-51.**