Asylum seekers in Scotland’s biggest city will no longer face lock-change evictions from social housing.
Following talks, an agreement has now been reached with new Home Office contractor Mears to stop the humiliating action in Glasgow.
Evictions of asylum seekers who were denied leave to remain began when Serco started changing the security to the accommodation of about 300 people affected.
But Mears has now agreed to improve the support for asylum seekers, help prevent destitution and replace lock-change evictions with a proper court process.
A deal was struck with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF).
Asylum seekers who have already been told they can’t stay in the UK will continue to be housed by Serco, pending the outcome of legal challenges.
Polly Jones, of the SFHA, said: “Together with our members, the SFHA and GWSF have secured a commitment from Mears to prevent any asylum seeker facing destitution.
"We are delighted lock-change evictions have been ruled out and replaced with a clear and fair support package, where any decision to evict an asylum seeker must be approved first by a court.
“Social landlords want to continue to provide much-needed accommodation to asylum seekers in Glasgow and this new contract ensures that will happen.”
A legal challenge arguing the evictions would be illegal without a court order was dismissed by a judge earlier this year but is now being appealed.
GWSF director David Bookbinder said: “It’s important for housing associations to be confident that their homes are managed professionally and humanely by the Home Office’s contractor.”
