The Iraqi also suffers from a serious heart condition and was left sleeping on the street after being evicted from his asylum accommodation.
He sought assistance from the Scottish Refugee Council who were able to get him back on his feet and get a new asylum claim in, but the number of unresolved claims means local authorities are struggling to deal with the backlog.
It’s a situation that is affecting a growing number of people from refugee backgrounds with record levels of homelessness among them in the country.
Referrals to Glasgow City Council have increased by more than 96 percent in the last year with attempts to rush through the backlog of unresolved claims blamed for being unable to meet housing demand.
The number of refugees made homeless is increasing (Image: Nick Ansell)Hamid is desperate to build a life for himself in Scotland as he reaches his latter years, admitting he would love to return to his homeland but it is impossible for him because his life would be in danger.
He said: “I was homeless for three months. Sometimes I was sleeping outside. It was very hard for me … I seriously thought about taking my own life.
“My case worker got me accommodation in the hotel. I don’t know how she did it, but she did. Without this, I would be back on the street.
“When I was homeless and I couldn’t find food or warm clothes, I was thinking about my old life in Iraq. I would love to go back but I know I can’t. It’s not safe. People like me are running for our lives. You have to have a good reason to leave everything behind. We only go somewhere else because we have to for our own safety.
“I just want a normal, ordinary life. I hope I can be granted asylum so I can start building a life for myself here in Scotland.”
The Scottish Refugee Council helped Hamid access bus tickets so he could make appointments with the authorities to support his asylum claim and access to organisations which helped give him warm clothes and food.
His story comes as the decision to give asylum seekers is debated at Holyrood with the Scottish Tories criticised for their attempts to force change on that matter, with First Swinney describing the debate as being ‘one of enormous regret’.
The Scottish Refugee Council have launched their winter appeal with Hamid one of many people they are looking to help on a daily basis.
Latest Scottish Government figures show that the number of households becoming homeless from supported accommodation has risen to 1,978 in 2023/24, having been at 932 the year before.
Someone who has been newly-granted refugee protection would normally make a referral to the council but it has grown increasingly difficult to find somewhere to live.
Earlier this year, Susan Aitken called on the Home Office to do more to help with Glasgow City Council saying it was at risk of ‘buckling under the strain’ of Labour continuing hostile immigration policies of the previous Tory government.
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Figures showed Glasgow was accommodating 4,075 asylum seekers in September which was considerably more than places such as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
The Scottish Refugee Council, alongside almost 40 other charities and academic organisations, have accused the UK Government of ‘washing their hands of any responsibility to support people newly out of the asylum system’.
People who have their asylum approved have 56 days to move out of their accommodation, while those who are rejected have just 21 days to move out despite 48 percent of rejected asylum claims being accepted upon appeal.
The charity hopes they can continue to raise money needed to support the thousands of refugees who need it with services manager Esther Muchena saying it is vital they get the basic support people deserve.
She said: “No one in Scotland, including people who have fled violence and persecution to seek safety here, should ever have to sleep on the streets – yet we are seeing a rising number of people forced to sleep rough.
“Unable to put a roof over their heads, with no access to food, warm clothes or other basic essentials, people find themselves in dangerous situations and even at risk of exploitation.
“Our Refugee Support Service helps people find source temporary accommodation, provide emergency financial assistance to cover people’s basic and immediate needs and support people through the asylum process.
“Donations help to fund our work all year round, but particularly over winter when temperatures are dropping and demand is growing – there are many refugees who urgently need our support.”
The Home Office have been contacted for comment.
Donate to Scottish Refugee Council’s winter appeal by visiting: scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/refugee-winter-appeal-2024/