Pilot paint project helping new tenants

A pilot scheme has seen new tenants benefit with some home improvements.

Working in partnership with Emmaus Glasgow since July 2025, Queens Cross has provided paint packs to new tenants where the decoration of their property has been deemed to be below a reasonable standard.

How does it work?

Once a tenant’s home has been identified as needing a fresh lick of paint, Queens Cross work with Emmaus to supply them with the required paint needed to decorate their home.

The tenant chooses which colour they’d like, and once the order has been confirmed Emmaus deliver the paint pack to their home within 24 hours.

Emmaus receive the paint through Community RePaint – a national paint reuse network, sponsored by Dulux, that aims to collect leftover paint and redistribute it to benefit individuals, families and communities in need.

More than 50 properties have received improvements through the scheme – with over 1,500 litres of paint being used since the project's inception. Feedback from tenants who have benefitted from the project has been extremely positive. 

Richard Allwood, Chief Executive of Emmaus Glasgow, said:

“The paint pack scheme is a win-win for everyone. Paint products, which would otherwise go to landfill, is being reused in the community with new Queens Cross tenants seeing their homes improved.

“They are also saving money from not having the cost of buying paint from high-street stores which can be expensive.”

Who are Emmaus Glasgow?

Emmaus Glasgow is a homelessness charity which provides purpose-built accommodation, support, training and work opportunities for up to 27 people with experience of homelessness.

Everyone has their own bedroom and bathroom, and access to shared areas where people can eat, get together and wash their clothes.

It’s also a social enterprise with charity shops based in Hamiltonhill and Partick. These shops sell a range of new and reused furniture, homeware and clothing.

These charity shops help generate the funds needed to sustain Emmaus Glasgow’s home and support for people who have been homelessness.

Based at 101 Ellesmere Street, the Hamiltonhill charity shop is open Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm. Pop along for a visit, have a chat and pick up a bargain.