1 / 13

Migration, Homelessness and Destitution in England

Migration, Homelessness and Destitution in England. Helen Mathie, Policy Manager HOMELESS LINK February 2012. WHO WE ARE. Homeless Link is the national membership body for agencies working with homeless people 530 member agencies Key aim of ending homelessness Policy change

glenna
Download Presentation

Migration, Homelessness and Destitution in England

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Migration, Homelessness and Destitution in England Helen Mathie, Policy Manager HOMELESS LINK February 2012

  2. WHO WE ARE • Homeless Link is the national membership body for agencies working with homeless people • 530 member agencies • Key aim of ending homelessness • Policy change • Improving practice • Today: discuss background and responses from perspective of our members

  3. ROUGH SLEEPERS FROM “A10” COUNTRIESLONDON 2005-2011

  4. THE CURRENT SITUATION • 2010/11 rough sleepers in London (3975)

  5. WHY PEOPLE END UP ON THE STREETS • POOR PREPARATION FOR UK • Advice in countries of origin is minimal; 21% received accommodation advice and 10% employment advice prior to arrival • LACK OF SECURE EMPLOYMENT • Trafficking– anecdotally this is increasing • Majority (75%) have worked in the UK at some point. However employment is insecure (cash in hand; seasonal; unregistered). • LACK OF ACCESS TO ‘USUAL’ ACCOMMODATION • SUPPORT NEEDS

  6. A ‘typical’ journey Alcohol or drug services Wider support (Eligible?) Support for Jobs Health Services Outreach service Day Centres Accommodation Employment Training Reconnection? positive Outcome Becomes homeless Eligible? Different streams of funding: Primarily Housing Benefit and government funding (Supporting People) h_negative outcome: eg return to streets, prison

  7. WHICH SERVICES DO CEE CLIENTS USE? • In a day centre, 20% clients from CEE backgrounds • In a hostel, on 6% clients from CEE background • Only 8% services provide specialist services to CEE clients • CHALLENGES • Reluctance of some clients to engage (eg in squats) • Access to accommodation • Language skills of staff • Employment options • Reductions in funding overall (22%)

  8. END OF THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: WHAT NOW? • Transitional arrangements ended April 2011 (for A8s) • From May 2011 requirement to pass Habitual Residency Test to get state benefits. • How does this work? Mixed experiences: • Some lack required information. • Takes too long. • However, some have passed HRT

  9. RESPONSES • ADVICE ABOUT ENTITLEMENTS • http://www.homeless.org.uk/effective-action • HELP WITH HOUSING & JOBS • Targeted employment advice and support • Specialist accommodation projects • Working with DWP and Job Centre Plus • Native speakers as staff and volunteers • PREVENTION WORK • Helping prepare people better: working with FCOs

  10. RESPONSES • RECONNECTION • Assisting safe return and supporting clients into services • Reconnection undertaken by range of agencies • ‘Routes Home’ portal provides advice and good practice www.reconnect.homeless.org.uk • People can return when better prepared for work and life in UK • Voluntary scheme. Not appropriate for all, but can be best option for some individuals to avoid destitution.

  11. RESPONSES • ‘NO SECOND NIGHT OUT’ pilot in London: • Aimed to quickly assess and help new rough sleepers off the street • 31% reconnections in 6 month period are to countries outside UK • 69% rough sleepers from EEA countries were reconnected • Examples • Portuguese man with severe mental health issues returned and accommodated by social services in hometown • Former Polish teacher walked 40 miles to NSNO hub after failing to find work. Reconnected to stay with friends in Poland • Pregnant Romanian client supported to return to family.

  12. WHAT ACTION IS NEEDED? • IN EUROPE: • Home Countries play greater role in preparing individuals • Tackling illegal gangmasters and traffickers • Co-ordinated EU response to prevent destitution (advice & financial resources) • IN THE UK: • More action to prevent illegal work • Pressure to keep on government agenda • Reconnection offered where appropriate to prevent destitution • More work with Job Centre Plus to offer employment services

  13. CONTACT • www.homeless.org.uk • www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/london-reconnection-project/ • www.reconnect.homeless.org.uk/ • http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/ • Examples of services: • www.theupperroom.org.uk/ • www.passage.org.uk/ • http://barkauk.org/ • More information: Helen.mathie@homelesslink.org.uk

More Related