Like most people, John Connelly never thought he would be homeless.

He had a steady job as a labourer on building sites for 29 years and a home with a partner.

But heart problems and three spells in hospital forced him out of the physical work he was used to. Then a relationship breakdown left him with nowhere to live.

The 53-year-old then found himself at the mercy of a social security system that was alien to him.

His story is a real life Daniel Blake, from the Ken Loach film about the benefits system.

He said: “I had to apply for Universal Credit but I had no identification or bank account as I was always paid in cash and handed money to my partner.

“You need to apply on line but I couldn’t work the computer.”

Even once he got the application made, the problems continued.

He said: “I was nine weeks without a penny. I got food and accommodation at the Talbot Centre and they helped with tokens for bus fares to get to appointments. I had nothing but I couldn’t beg on the streets – what if someone I used to work with saw me?”

John is still waiting for an appointment with a case worker to try to get him into permanent accommodation and then

he hoped to get back

to work.

He added: “I want to get back to work but I can’t get a job when I don’t have a home”

While he is waiting, he has joined other volunteers to hand out food to rough sleepers on the streets of Glasgow.

He said since becoming homeless he has had some mental health problems, but has no drug or alcohol issues.

He said: “I now see a Community Psychiatric Nurse. I read last week about a man who killed himself over benefits problems. I admit it has crossed my mind but I don’t think I could do that.”

He said the solution is simple, people need homes.

He said: “I want to see houses. None of this temporary accommodation, that doesn’t work. We’re still homeless at the end of the day, we don’t have a home.”

John was out helping homeless people on the day that figures revealed an increase in homelessness with an extra four hundred people in Glasgow applying for help

The 8% increase means that there were around 5700 applications as homeless in the city last year, up from around 5300 the previous year.

Across Scotland there was a total of 36,465 homelessness applications, an increase of 892 (3%).

Hundreds of people said they had slept rough before they applied as homeless.

In Glasgow around 400 of those who applied had reported rough sleeping the night before they went looking for help, 7% of the total.

Across Scotland the demographics of homelessness has not changed much with most homeless applicant single younger white Scottish males.

The most common reasons for becoming homeless was being asked to leave, relationship breakdown or a dispute within the household.

Gordon MacRae of Shelter Scotland said “For the fifth year in a row the number of homeless children living in temporary accommodation has risen, up 3% to 6,795.

“And on 3,535 occasions people were denied their legal right to emergency housing by local authorities, being turned away to sleep rough, sofa surf or return to dangerous situations.

“The question every citizen of Scotland must ask ourselves is how much longer are we prepared to tolerate this.”

In Glasgow, a new approach has been followed for dealing with homelessness among people with complex needs.

In Glasgow Housing First has started with 50 tenancies available in a deal with charity Social Bite and housing provider Wheatley Group.

Mhairi Hunter, City Convener for Health and Social Care, said: “Glasgow continues to invest millions in Rapid Re-Housing, including a commitment to the Housing First model.

“The scale of the challenge in the city is exacerbated by the impact of the UK Government’s Universal Credit and welfare reforms, which the UN has noted has had ‘tragic consequences’.”

ON the day new statistics revealed homelessness increased in Glasgow, a group of volunteers were handing out food to people on the streets.

The group, with ‘Helping Hearts for the Homeless’ shirts, gave out food and water to homeless people in the city centre.

Marie, 38, has been homeless for three months after fleeing an abusive partner and subsequently having her five young children taken into care.

Sitting outside Greggs next to Central Station, she said: “I hate it. People look at you like you’re a piece of sh*t. It’s horrible, I’m a human being.

“It’s hard, it’s harder for a woman than it is for a guy. I just want to get somewhere and get sorted. Get off the streets. I don’t want to be homeless. I didn’t plan to be homeless.”

As the group gave out warm food and water, it appeared to spur the public to come forward, speak and donate money to those in need.

A young graduate living on the streets refused food and water from volunteers but softened after a woman came out of M&S to put her arm around him and offering words of encouragement.

Outside Princes Square on Buchanan Street, another homeless man, William, sits with a sleeping bag around him and all his belongings in a bag at his side.

He suffers from mental health issues including self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

He said: “It’s difficult as a single man to get a house. They’re all built for families and there’s no space for guys on their own.”

“Nicola Sturgeon, she came here, and she said three years ago she would do everything in her power to help the homelessness. But she’s still done nothing.”

On Argyle Street a young woman stopped to pet a homeless man’s dog, feeding it treats while she spoke to the man, Darren who said he has been homeless for 21 years.

Volunteer Sean Clerkin said: “It’s an absolute disgrace this is happening in the 21st century and we can do something

about it.The Scottish Government has a £450m underspend It should be using some of it to help the homeless.”