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Migration, Homelessness and DestitutionPresentation from Jenny Edwards, Homeless Link
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CONTEXT
2004 – 1st accession from Central and E Europe (A8s) • Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) for benefits & work 12mths continuously
2007 – 2nd wave from CEE countries – greater restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians
• A2s cannot come unless have work and a permit.
2009 – restrictions extended for 2 yrs• 08/09 EU migrants contributed 37% more than they took in welfare and public
services
2011 –end of transitional arrangements• while rough sleeping among UK nationals falling in many areas, its rising among this
group
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PROPORTION OF CEE ROUGH SLEEPERS
LONDON 2005-2011
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THE CURRENT SITUATION2010/11 data in London identified 3975 rough sleepers
CEEs are much more likely to be new to the streets – ‘Flow’ (67%).
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THE CURRENT SITUATION
• Rising trend is not limited to London: also escalating numbers in rural areas and other cities (40% rough sleepers in Manchester and Salford are CEEs).
“Tents, fires, shacks and shelters have been set up across the city with an immigrant community that now accounts for 64 per cent of local population growth – the fastest in Britain.”
(Daily Express, 11 August 2010) –
Peterborough
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PREPARATION• Only 2/3 (67%) reported being fully prepared prior to making their
move.• However, provision of advice or prevention work in the countries of
origin is minimal; 21% received accommodation advice and 10% employment advice prior to arrival
“I did not speak English at all when I came to the UK, I probably would learn English”
“I am homeless because of crisis because of lack of information”
MAPPING THE JOURNEY (cont.)
Improving advice and preparation in home countries is a priority to prevent homelessness.
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MAPPING THE JOURNEY
EMPLOYMENT: lack of regular and secure employment cause of homelessness•3/4 migrants had been employed in their country of origin.
•All have worked in the UK at some point: however a significant problems with employment sustainability.
•Many trafficked from home countries – anecdotally this is increasing
Circumstances Prior to UK Circumstances after Arrival
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EMPLOYMENT
“ [I’ve been here] five years, I am still working but it is not enough to get into an accommodation””
“I was brought to Peterborough by people who promised me a job”
“ I was promised work and didn’t get paid for 3months.”
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MAPPING THE JOURNEY HOUSING•Few had been homeless in home country •After arrival in UK, over half lived in very insecure or unsuitable housing with over 1/3 moving straight into squats
Circumstances Prior to UK Circumstances after Arrival
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Photos: Thames Reach Reconnection service
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KEY SUPPORT ISSUES
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• Traditional solutions not available. Typical route for homeless person in England:
THE CHALLENGES FOR AGENCIES
Hostel
Rough sleeper contacted on street
Different streams of funding: Primarily Housing Benefit and government
funding (Supporting People)
Move On
Housing: Private tenancy;Supported Accommodation
Support: health, jobs, drug, alcohol, welfare etc
Access to these services for CEE clients often limited due to benefit entitlements
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CHALLENGES FOR AGENCIES
• Meeting complex needs with limited funding options• Supporting migrants in unsuitable accommodation such as squats
and properties run by unethical landlords.• Tension between different nationalities of rough sleepers
This is in a context of increased demand and pressures on funding for Local Authorities and Voluntary Sector: an average cut of 22% to homelessness organisations.
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END OF THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: WHAT NOW?
• Transitional arrangements ended April 2011 (for A8s)
• From May 2011 requirement to pass Habitual Residency Tests to get state benefits.
• There are mixed reports regarding the HRT:
• migrants who are already homeless report problems stemming from their lack of an address.
• the lengthy processing time can be an issue especially for destitute migrants.
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RESPONSES & INTERVENTIONSRECONNECTION•Assisting safe return and supporting clients into appropriate services •Reconnection undertaken by range of agencies in London and increasingly other areas.•‘Routes Home’ portal provides advice, good practice, and consulate information www.reconnect.homeless.org.uk •People can return when better prepared for work and life in UK
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DEFINITIONS
Must not confused, three different responses:
DEPORTATION
ADMINISTRATIVE REMOVAL
RECONNECTION
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RESPONSES & INTERVENTIONS‘NO SECOND NIGHT OUT’ pilot:
•30% reconnections in 3 month period are to countries outside UK
•Portuguese man with severe mental health issues returned and accommodated by social services in hometown
•Latvian man reconnected with family 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 mother.
•Austrian client supported to return: found employment in home country within 48 hours.
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OTHER SOLUTIONS
• Targeted employment advice and support, eg Upper Room
• Specialist accommodation projects eg Ollalo Project in London
• Faith-based groups• Working with DWP and Job Centre
Plus• Native speakers as staff and
volunteers• Homeless Link securing funding for
service development and sharing good practice
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RECOMMENDATIONSIN EUROPE:
Home Countries play greater role in preparing individuals• organisations in host countries disseminate information to prospective
migrants about realities of work in UK• stronger working relationship with relevant CEE government
departments
Tackling illegal gangmasters and traffickers
Co-ordinated EU response• Pot of money to support agencies working with destitute clients• ‘One stop shop’ of information and advice• Coordinated protection to prevent EU citizens being destitute
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RECOMMENDATIONS
IN THE UK:• Exploitation taken seriously: more action to prevent illegal work • ‘NSNO’ roll out across England• Maintaining pressure at a national level across government• Reconnection offered where appropriate to prevent destitution• More work with Job Centre Plus to offer employment services
