Govanhill Online

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4/7/2008City's Slum Housing 'Could End With Deaths'

CAMPAIGNERS against slum housing in Glasgow have won promises of urgent action after a stormy public meeting heard the state of some homes could kill.
Almost 150 people turned out to vent their anger over filthy streets, overcrowding and racial tension in Govanhill.
Now Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Parliament will consider demands for an inquiry and funding for the area's "unique" social problems.
Tempers boiled over at Hollybrook School as residents said closes and streets had turned into dumping grounds, with rotting rubbish attracting rats, cockroaches and maggots.
Householders said problems with rubbish uplifts and anti-social tenants meant rubbish bags and mattresses were left piled in closes.
The meeting heard from a 12-strong panel, including representatives from the police, fire brigade, council services and local politicians.
Lawyer Mike Dailly, principal solicitor with the Govan Law Centre, which advises people affected by poverty, said: "We can tackle slum landlords and gangmasters or do nothing and watch it go further into decline."
Mr Dailly said tackling slum housing was the priority.
He warned: "Maybe some of the flats will collapse. Maybe a fire will break out in a tenement cellar filled with rubbish and children will be killed."
Local MSP Frank McAveety was forced to intervene when some audience members blamed all the area's problems on Romany families who recently arrived in the area.
Mr McAveety said his grandfather, who was Irish, faced the same abuse when he "came off the boat 80 years ago" to work and live in Glasgow.
He reminded the audience, which included people of Irish, Asian and African descent, of Govanhill's role as providing a gateway to Scotland for generations of immigrants.
Cathy Cowan, who leads the South East Glasgow community health and care partnership, promised to raise issues urgently with the neighbourhood management team.
Ms Cowan said: "There are real concerns about safety and housing, but things like cleansing can be turned around quickly.
"In terms of anti-social behaviour, young people need a place to be. Not many will go to youth clubs when there are not many clubs to go to.
"We will come up with a plan for the immediate future and the long term."
Govanhill Housing Association has launched a petition, which has widespread local support, to the Scottish Parliament, Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council, which organised last night’s meeting, will host a second event next month when members expect to hear guarantees of specific action.