PRESS RELEASE

Doors close at the Great Eastern	30th August 2001
GLASGOW’S infamous hostel for homeless men – the Great Eastern Hotel – today closed its doors to residents for the last time. The closure marks the end of a seven year initiative to rehouse the hostel’s residents by Loretto Housing Association, Scottish Homes, Glasgow City Council and Milnbank Housing Association. All of the 120 residents have now found permanent homes – 60 in city council and housing association properties and 60 in new, purpose-built accommodation in Loretto Housing Association developments across the city. National housing agency Scottish Homes has supported the re-housing programme with almost £7.5 million in grant funding. Loretto Housing Association chairman, Tom Lucas, said: “This notorious city landmark has for decades been a hostel of last resort for many of the city’s homeless men. We are delighted that the residents have now all been found permanent homes and we can finally close the Great Eastern.” The former residents are all receiving a personalised support service to help them manage the transition from hostel to independent living. Kirsty Anderson, Scottish Homes Operations Manager for Glasgow and North Clyde, said: “Scottish Homes is committed to tackling homelessness and finding long term solutions for people with no permanent home. “The closure of the hostel was carefully planned between the partners involved. We wanted to ensure that people leaving the Great Eastern were offered a high quality home of their own, with support if necessary.” Project co-ordinator for Loretto, Rhona Murray, said: “Before the association took over the management of the Great Eastern in 1994, residents lived in appalling conditions with very poor sanitation in a building which was essentially unsafe. “The Association invested over £500,000 in improving the building and employed 40 staff to ensure that residents’ physical, psychological and emotional needs were properly addressed. It is now good to see all the hard work that has gone into the project paying off, with residents in new homes.” Building owners Milnbank Housing Association have no firm plans for the future of the landmark, but hope it may be converted into flats for rent and sale. The doors at the Great Eastern are set to open again temporarily to the public in early October, when Loretto is planning to hold an exhibition of photographs of former residents.
Anne Graham Tel: 0131 479 5167