Kieran McCusker, 30, has been robbed, assaulted, and urinated on while sleeping rough in Glasgow after becoming homeless three months ago. Originally from Dumfries, he moved to Glasgow seeking work and accommodation but ended up on the streets following a relationship breakdown and being declared homeless.
Rough sleeping surge in Glasgow
New data obtained by the Scottish Tenants Organisation under the Freedom of Information Act from Glasgow City Council reveals that the number of rough sleepers has increased by over 250% in the last five months. Between January 1 and February 15, 2026, there were 203 rough sleepers. By March 30, this rose to 372, and by May 15, it reached 552 — a 271% increase.
Campaigners have called for more homes to be built to address what they describe as a "homeless catastrophe." Colin McInnes from Homeless Project Scotland believes official figures undercount the problem, noting that around 1,023 people seek refuge at their city-centre shelter each month. He stated: "People come to us because they have been sleeping rough and have stumbled across our shelter and our service. Nobody chooses to sleep rough."
Kieran's ordeal
Kieran has slept in a cemetery, under a railway bridge, in a bush, and in the doorway of a McDonald's. He said: "It is embarrassing, it is degrading. It's not something that you want to be doing. I have been robbed three times since I came to Glasgow. I have been p****d on sleeping in a doorway and assaulted in a doorway."
On one occasion, after his blanket and sleeping bag were stolen, he ended up in hospital. He is on a waiting list for a furnished flat and wants to return to work: "I have worked since I was 14 until last year. Any job I can get I have done it. I want to get back into work."
Systemic failures
Jacqueline, 41, a mother of two from Springburn, began sleeping rough after being evicted from her privately rented flat in East Kilbride three years ago. She recently secured a furnished flat in Govanhill but said: "They need to start building for the homeless. All the marches and protests you see in Glasgow you don't see any for the homeless. I feel we are forgotten."
Sean Clerkin, campaign coordinator for the Scottish Tenants Organisation, stated: "The rapid rise in those sleeping rough on the streets of Glasgow shows the extent of the housing and homelessness catastrophe across the country. We need thousands of new homes quickly where we can house homeless people instead of abandoning them."
Official responses
A Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership spokeswoman said they receive weekly reports from the Simon Community and acknowledged weekly fluctuations, but noted they continue to engage with those they have a responsibility for, ensuring emergency accommodation where possible.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Everyone in Scotland has a right to support when experiencing homelessness. We are providing Glasgow City Council with £123 million this year through our Affordable Housing Supply Programme. We recognise the significant pressures on homelessness services and are taking decisive action through our Housing Emergency Action Plan, which commits up to £4.9 billion over four years to deliver around 36,000 affordable homes."
Maeve McGoldrick of Crisis Scotland added: "These figures are deeply concerning. The fact that rough sleeping is continuing to rise is a clear sign that Scotland's homelessness system is under immense pressure."
