THE Home Office must find quality accommodation for asylum seekers in Glasgow before their current housing is demolished, the Scottish Government has demanded.
Public Health Secretary Alex Neil said asylum contractor Serco's suggestion of using a backpackers' hostel as temporary accommodation is "completely unsuitable and unacceptable".
He has called on Home Secretary Theresa May to take action and find new accommodation before the current site, which includes flats at Petershill Drive, is demolished.
Mr Neil said: "Asylum seekers, many of whom are vulnerable, must have good quality, safe and secure accommodation.
"As existing housing is due for demolition, new accommodation needs to be urgently found to meet the needs of asylum seekers.
"However it is troubling to find out that at one point a backpackers' hostel was being considered by Serco as a place to bridge the gap. That is completely unsuitable and unacceptable.
"The Home Secretary needs to impress upon Serco that moves to new accommodation, even on a temporary basis, should be well thought through and be done with minimum disruption.
"Asylum seekers should be supported and integrated into our communities from day one and they should have access to high quality accommodation that they so desperately need. I am deeply concerned that their needs may not be met."
The six blocks in the north east of the city are due for demolition.
Housing provider Orchard and Shipman, which works on behalf of Serco and the Home Office, identified the industrial site at 419 Balmore Road, Parkhouse, as a suitable alternative location. Asylum seekers will be moved to a hostel in the city centre immediately after the contract ends until the new housing is ready.
Concerns have been raised by community leaders and local residents who say there has been little consultation.
If the plans get the go-ahead it is understood up to 200 asylum seekers could live in the site at any time.
It is believed Balmore Road would be used as short-stay accommodation in the same way as the flats.
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