Tuesday 7th April 2026 saw Scotland’s newest homelessness Village by Social Bite officially opened. Run in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council, Harriet Gardens in South Lanarkshire is a pioneering £3 million supported living community designed to help people break the cycle of homelessness and rebuild their lives.
The landmark moment was marked this morning by representatives of the teams behind the conception, build, and management of the new Village. They were joined by members of the public, and people who are supported by Social Bite, including residents of the Social Bite Village in Edinburgh.
With 34,067 households classed as homeless in Scotland, and 2,467 people declared as homeless in South Lanarkshire between 2024-25, Harriet Gardens is a significant and innovative response to addressing the current housing and homelessness crisis here in Scotland.
The Village has transformed the former Westfield Saw Mills site in Rutherglen into a vibrant, purpose-built community. Set amongst beautiful landscaping, it features fifteen high-quality modular Nest Houses manufactured by Ecosystems Technologies, alongside an outdoor gym and a central community hub with shared spaces for cooking, group activities, therapeutic support and social connection – creating a safe, welcoming and sustainable environment for residents.
The Village will be managed by charity partner The Salvation Army, providing specialist, round-the-clock support to help residents stabilise their circumstances, build confidence, reconnect with a network of people, develop skills and access employment, with the aim of moving into secure, independent housing. Based on the proven Social Bite Village model, the approach combines high-quality housing with intensive, personalised support and a strong sense of community.
Unlike traditional forms of temporary accommodation, Harriet Gardens is designed as a positive and aspirational choice – a place people actively want to be part of. By combining safe, sustainable homes with tailored support and meaningful opportunities for connection, the Village offers a clear pathway towards long-term stability and independence.
“Harriet Gardens represents what is possible when we bring together housing, support and community in the right way. This is not just about providing a roof over someone’s head – it’s about creating a place where people feel valued, supported and able to rebuild their lives. We are incredibly proud to see this vision come to life in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and The Salvation Army, and I hope that this will be the second village of many.”
South Lanarkshire Council Head of Housing Services, Sharon Egan, said: “I’m delighted that Harriet Gardens is now officially opened. It’s a project we are incredibly proud of and one that continues to build and develop how we respond to homelessness in South Lanarkshire.
“This development began with an ambition, supported by our elected members and senior leadership team, to explore new and innovative approaches to homelessness, particularly for people with complex needs.
“From the outset, Social Bite were a key partner in helping us turn that ambition into a reality, and I want to recognise the commitment, creativity and persistence they have shown throughout the journey and in particular thank Social Bite for the significant investment toward responding to and resolving homelessness in South Lanarkshire. As the project progressed, we were able through commissioning to bring on board a long‑term support partner in the Salvation Army. Their experience and values are central to the model here, combining high‑quality accommodation with tailored, trauma‑informed support that focuses on stability, recovery and long‑term outcomes.
“We are very proud of what has been achieved with this project and look forward to seeing the impact it will have for many years to come.”
Karen Good, Contract Manager for The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services, said: “Harriet Gardens is a brilliant opportunity to provide consistent, person-centred support that helps people feel valued and able move forward at their own pace. By working alongside Social Bite and South Lanarkshire Council, we aim to create a safe and supportive place where people are encouraged to take steps towards independent living.”
Jim who benefits from Social Bite’s services, including its men’s support group and free Christmas meals in Glasgow, used his own experiences to comment on how the Village will benefit people who live there: “We’re not taught that in the real world, poor health can take away your ability to work, or that the people you rely on - parents, friends, family - might not always be there. For many, that can mean facing hardship alone and in silence, while the rest of the world carries on.
“Harriet Gardens will change that. It will give people a place to belong - somewhere free from judgement, where strangers can become friends, where people can learn to cope, rebuild their confidence, and begin to believe in and accept themselves again.”
