connect 41: migration - the wrong sort of homelessness
DESCRIPTION
In 2004, hundreds of thousands of people from central and eastern Europe came to the UK. Most found work and a home. They contributed significantly to the UK economy, but for a small percentage it didn’t work out. They became homeless and destitute on our streets, without effective help or routes out. Today, roughly half the people sleeping out on London streets are non UK citizens. More than a quarter of them are from Central and Eastern Europe. This phenomenon is repeated throughout the country. In this edition, we look at the diverse approaches agencies are taking to this problem. From enforcement to empowerment, there could not be a wider array of thinking. One thing is clear – migrant homelessness cannot be ignored if there is to be any chance of ending rough sleeping. But the questions remain: are we doing enough, does any approach work for all parties concerned – and, actually, whose problem is migrant homelessness anyway?TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
UNKNOWN TRANSITIONSNext year, the 2004 Transitional Arrangements across the EU will cease. What happens next?...
DYING OR DIGNITYThe brutal choice faced by many migrants – stay on the streets and risk dying, or seek help...
TO BE OR NOT TO BE...The administrative removals debate - cases for and against. Should the Peterborough pilot be repeated?...
MIGRATION: ThE WRONG SORT Of hOMElESSNESS
CONNECT WINTER 2010, ISSUE 41 | WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
14-15 20-21 24-25
connectTHE MAGAZINE OF THE HOMELESSNESS SECTOR
![Page 2: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
wELCOME CONNECT | WINTER 2010
No one in recent weeks can ignore the profound implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Already deeply concerned about the overall impact of cuts on vulnerable people, we know the real devil is in the detail.
EDITORIAL & DESIGNEditors Gill Perkins and Martin Reed
Editorial Panel Christine Spooner, Paul Anderson,
Jo Crellen, Drew lindon, helen Mathie, Tina Crockett,
Martin Webber and Ben Dickinson
Designer Sarah Rowing-Parker (New Start Design -
www.newstartdesign.co.uk)
Cover Photo by Claudia Janke/ Refugee Action
SUBSCRIPTIONSTo subscribe or take out additional subscriptions
please email: [email protected]
NEXT IN CONNECT: HEALTHThe first outing for Connect in 2011 will examine
health issues around homelessness. What does it take
to help those on the fringes of society stay healthy
both physically and mentally? Where have we
succeeded? Where do the safety nets fail?
We’re keen to hear your thoughts on how we might
engage with this and other issues. To contribute
ideas, articles, or to invite us to interview your
organisation, email: [email protected].
health topic deadline for ideas - 10 January 2011.
however, while the effects of the CSR will be serious, our
ongoing work with government departments clearly
influenced decision makers in the Treasury.
Along with others in our sector, we have presented
evidence on the business case for continuing work to
tackle and prevent homelessness, and to provide housing
related support. This contributed significantly to the case
for protecting the homelessness grant, and to a below
average cut of 12% (2.7% next year) in Supporting People
grant at national level. You can read more about this on
page 6.
It is vitally important that members work together locally
to advocate the same business case to local authorities.
failing to provide support and tackle homelessness early
risks much higher costs and problems for communities.
This means that it is at local level that the battle is
being fought to meet the CSR pledge ensuring “that
Upfrontexpenditure is focused on protecting the quality of the
key frontline services…that provide support to the worst
off in society.”
Members are facing major cuts, so now is the time to
lobby political leaders. Coalition politicians should be
reflecting the Prime Minister’s approach: “We should say
to every single council in the country, ‘When it comes to
looking at and trimming your budgets, don’t do the easy
thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and
organisations working in our communities. look at your
core costs. look at how you can do more for less. look
at the value for money you get from working with the
voluntary sector.’” (hansard PMQs 15 September)
labour politicians should be working to show that they
are stronger protectors of the most vulnerable than their
opponents. As Grant Shapps the housing Minister said
when I took the homelessness foundation to meet him
and lord freud: “There is no group more vulnerable than
this one. It’s the mark of a civilised society that we don’t
have people living on the streets.”
So please keep us in touch with what the picture looks like
from your perspective. Our team will be contacting you
for updates. I am writing to local council leaders on this
point, and have met leading councillors from the local
creDItS : SUBScrIptIonS : UpcoMInG
![Page 3: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 3
wELCOMECONNECT | WINTER 2010
In thIS ISSUe
LATEST NEwS 4
COMMENTSubmissions on homeless make an impact 6A lesson learned? 8
FEATURESDestination unknown 10CEE migration in the UK 12They come to work, not use services... 13Unknown transitions 14Secret millionaire gives destitute women a fresh start 16The CEE story in stats... 18To be or not to be - the debate on administrative removal 20Peterborough takes compassionate action 22Rebuilding social ties: a way out of homelessness for migrants 23Dying or dignity? 24
With no prospects, a black eye and a plastic bag... 26Working the system: Olallo 28In practice 29Jerzy: recycled citizen 30Jaroslaw: learning to trust 31Diverse misuse 32Someone to worry for me 33Solutions that will stick 34Managing people 35Census 2011: making sure homeless people count 36housing first: challenging the status quo? 37
INSPIREDinto the dragons den.. and out with the Michael Whippman award 2010 38
wHAT’S ON 39
RESOURCES 40
Jenny Edwards Chief Executive, homeless link
Government Association to press the case. At the same
time we are constantly active in pushing for a rethink
on welfare reform and the proposals around housing
benefit. There will soon be a second batch of reforms
introduced through primary legislation. We will campaign
vigorously to reduce the risks of increased homelessness
and, if the proposals go through as planned, to press for
the protection of vulnerable people within our sector’s
services.
The focal topic of this edition of Connect, when it is
seen at all, is too often viewed as the wrong sort of
homelessness.
In 2004, hundreds of thousands of people from central
and eastern Europe came to the UK. Most found work
and a home. They contributed significantly to the UK
economy, but for a small percentage it didn’t work out.
They became homeless and destitute on our streets,
without effective help or routes out. Today, roughly half
the people sleeping out on london streets are non UK
citizens. More than a quarter of them are from Central
and Eastern Europe. This phenomenon is repeated
throughout the country.
We have to find practical answers, spur local action and
achieve national policy change to achieve our ambition
to end rough sleeping. There is no alternative.
So, do we shrug our shoulders, accept the inevitability
of encampments of the destitute, the growth of health
conditions like trench foot and drug resistant TB,
alcoholism based on industrial cider, people eating
anything because they are constantly hungry? Viewing
these people as the wrong sort of homeless to assist is
unhelpful. But they aren’t local voters, they don’t come
with housing benefit payments, they may be involved
in petty crime to survive. The misleading phrase “No
Recourse to Public funds” is taken to mean no help must
be given.
however, there are signs of hope and ingenuity. People
are taking the initiative to find solutions and galvanise
their partners and local community into practical action.
You will read more of this on the following pages. Our
website too is a growing resource of further information
on this issue.
When I spoke to the Inter Ministerial Group on
homelessness I argued that this is the time for government
to establish a baseline beneath which we will not
allow anyone to fall, no matter where their journey into
homelessness began. There is no better place to start
than with the destitute. There is no better time to start
than now.
![Page 4: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
NEwS CONNECT | WINTER 2010
services, social enterprises and
spaces for business and community
use:
• 95 rooms as part of the of
Camden’s hostels Pathway
programme
• 35 sub-market rent flats for local
low-paid workers
• Spaces for group work
• fully equipped IT suite
• GP / nurse surgery
• Work and learn / Employment
Academy – provided by
Broadway
• Restaurant and conference
facilities provided by City Dining
and One Support
• Construction skills training facility
provided in conjunction with
lakehouse
• 13 studios including an artist in
residence who will deliver courses
to Arlington residents
• One Support – floating Support
Service (team base)
• OhG – Community link (mental
health floating support)
• The hub – space for use by
designed to ensure all its clients
receive the practical training and
personal support they need to move
on. for more information see:
www.itsyourmove.org.uk
ARLINGTON – ONE SUPPORTOnce housing more than 1,000
men, Arlington reopened in mid-
2010 under the ownership and
management of One housing Group.
It offers an exceptional standard of
accommodation and a range of
training and employment related
HATS FOR HOMELESSNESSSt Mungo’s first ever profile and fund
raising Woolly hat Day on friday 22
October helped achieve a record
number of visits to its website with
support coming from individuals,
schools, companies. Stephen fry
tweeted three times about the Day.
IT’S YOUR MOVE…It’s Your Move, part of Broadway
homelessness & Support, has
launched STEPS, a structured training
and engagement programme
IT’S BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE THE LAST ISSUE OF CONNECT. HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF wHAT’S GOING ON. DON’T FORGET YOU CAN SEND US YOUR NEwS TO [email protected] AND wE wILL PROMOTE IT THROUGH THE MOST APPROPRIATE CHANNEL - OUR wEBSITE, IN CONNECT, ON TwITTER OR IN MEMBERLINk.
MEMBER NEwS:
lateStSector newS
HOMELESS LINk wELCOMES THE FOLLOwING NEw MEMBERS:4Nw, Harvest of Grace Trinity Centre, Islington South and Finsbury, Simon House, Cranford Property Services Ltd, Mayday Trust, London Jesus Centre, Pilgrim hearts Trust, Forest YMCA, FLACk, Space Trust, North Herts District Council, Recycling Lives (Uk) Limited, Phoenix Community Housing Cooperative, Depaul Ireland, Sheffield City Council, North Herts. Sanctuary Ltd, YMCA - St Helens, Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association, Shelter Scotland - Shelter Support Service, Lowland Care Services Ltd and YACRO
STEPS training programme
St Mungo’s Woolly hat Day
![Page 5: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 5
NEwSCONNECT | WINTER 2010
lateStSector newS
NAC SPOTlIGhTwe are entering an environment of dramatically reducing funding and fierce competition for the prioritisation of services. Homeless Link provides the necessary collective voice and is a strong national representative for local agencies. The NAC directly informs Homeless Link about the impact of Government policy ‘on the ground’ on service users and agencies.
At this year’s annual conference, 4
regional NAC workshops focussed on
how we can make most effective use
of this regionally:
• More face to face contact in the
regions
• Individual services hosting more
collective meetings or events
• Ensure the data and examples we
gather are shared with relevant
MPs and stakeholders
• Modify the pro-forma used for
gathering information so it can be
sent directly to providers
• Provide a list of issues that
providers can ‘rank’ in terms of
importance
• have an ‘issue of the quarter’ to
focus on that can coincide with
the NAC agendas, to allow for
more detailed feedback to be
gathered
• Monitor changes in the funding
environment and impact on
providers of cuts as they happen
As a result of this consultation,
homeless link has modified the NAC
Online Pro forma as requested.
Regional representatives can also
send the survey link to any interested
parties they know of in their area.
A funding tracker has also been
introduced.
Please visit www.homeless.org.uk/national-advisory-council to find
your NAC representative.
Catherine Jameson, Resource Co-ordinator, HLG
Accommodation at Arlington house
community organisations and for
rent by firms who share Arlington’s
overall ethos.
www.onehousinggroup.co.uk/Section/One-Support
EMPLOYMENT ACADEMY FOR LONDON’S HOMELESShomeless londoners and the long-
term unemployed in the boroughs
of Southwark and lambeth are set
to benefit from the new £6m Thames
Reach Employment academy
opening up next year.
www.thamesreach.org.uk
SNOw HILL – A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTUREMidland heart’s former hostel is being
transformed by frank haslam Milan
into 92 apartments for both men
and women ready to leave direct
access accommodation. The focus
will be around providing support
and training opportunities. for more
information, see:
www.midlandheart.org.uk
wORLD PREMIERE – FABLES: A FILM OPERAShoreditch Church will be
transformed into a magical world
of fable for Streetwise Opera’s new
commission, ‘fables - A film Opera’,
created by some of the country’s
leading composers and filmmakers
working with over 120 Streetwise
Opera performers from around
England.
The teams have created four
stunning seven-minute films based on
fables from the classic, The Boy who
Cried Wolf; the folkloric, the legend of
The hartlepool Monkey ; the literary,
Oscar Wilde’s The Nightingale and
the Rose and the contemporary
Shinishi hoshi’s hey! Come on Out!
Each film will begin with a live
operatic introduction involving
Streetwise Opera performers and a
professional cast.
www.streetwiseopera.org
![Page 6: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
COMMENT CONNECT | WINTER 2010
HOMELESS LINk - ASkS OF GOVERNMENT RESULTS IN COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEw
1. Maintain investment in Supporting People at current levels.
Supporting People (SP) faces a 12% cut over four years (with 2.7%
in 2011-12). Although this is a significant cut, it is far less than many
feared, and is significantly lower when compared to the overall cut
to the ClG budget. It does indicate recognition of the arguments
we put that housing related support is a vital service for some of
the most vulnerable in our society and delivers savings to other
services.
2. Continue to use an element of the National Affordable Housing Programme to develop new supported housing stock and remodel existing stock.
Total investment in new affordable housing 2011-2015 is £4.5bn, to
build up to 150,000 new affordable homes over the next 4 years. This
represents a cut of 60%, down from £8.8bn over the previous three
year period to £4.4bn over the next four years.
3. Continue capital and revenue investment to change services into Places for Change to enable services for homeless and vulnerable people to deliver improved outcomes and better value for money, as evidenced by the earlier programme.
homeless link is very pleased that capital funding totalling £37.5m
has been secured to launch a second round of the Places of
Change hostels improvement programme from April 2012. This is a
lower amount than previously but does mean that the excellent
work carried out through Places of Change can continue.
4. Maintain the level of the Homelessness Grant to ensure continuing capacity to prevent and tackle homelessness in the face of intense upward pressures.
funding over the next four years will exceed £400 million, averaging
£108m annually. This remains relatively unchanged over the
Spending Review period 2011-2015. homelessness Grant will be paid
as part of the Area Based Grant, so is not ring-fenced. It is important
to ensure that lAs continue to spend this money on preventing
homelessness, in the context of the 7.1% decrease in council
funding annually.
SUBMISSIonS on hoMeleSSneSS Make an IMpactTHE IMPACT OF THE CSR PUBLISHED ON 20 OCTOBER wILL BE SERIOUS. SARAH GORTON, POLICY MANAGER AT HOMELESS LINk LOOkS AT THE MAIN ASkS wE MADE OF GOVERNMENT AND THE RESPONSE wITHIN THE REVIEw. SOME OF THE MAJOR IMPACTS wERE CONTAINED IN THE EMERGENCY BUDGET IN JUNE. HOMELESS LINk IS wORkING wITH A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANISATIONS TO RAISE AwARENESS OF HOw THESE ARE LIkELY TO INCREASE LEVELS OF HOMELESSNESS, AND LOOk AT wHAT IMPACT THIS MIGHT HAVE ON THE SAVINGS MADE.
![Page 7: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 7
COMMENTCONNECT | WINTER 2010
5. Continue to drive towards the goal of ending rough sleeping by the end of 2012 and to retain and develop services to ensure the goal is achieved.
The goal of ending rough sleeping does not get a specific
mention in the CSR. Our specific concern is that many of the
cuts announced in housing benefit will lead to an increase in
homelessness and could feed into the rough sleeping population.
6. Recognise adults facing multiple needs and exclusions as a key issue. Make a clear statement on the importance of cooperation between local services in achieving coordinated, cost effective delivery for this group and support this, where appropriate, with cross-departmental coordination and cross-government funds.
There is no specific recognition of adults facing multiple needs and
exclusions in the CSR.
7. Flag individuals receiving housing-related support as vulnerable and requiring attention and support within welfare reform and the work Programme so that they do not risk losing their accommodation as a result of changes and ill considered application of conditionality. No further measures to reduce the amount of Housing Benefit available to vulnerable people should be put in place until full consideration has been given to any potential unintended consequences on vulnerable people and their access to housing.
homeless link along with other organisations is still working to
mitigate the potential negative effects of the welfare reform
proposals. The CSR announced an extra £7bn from the means-
tested part of the welfare budget. These cuts come on top of
the £11bn of cuts already announced in the Emergency Budget,
including cuts to housing Benefit (hB). We are concerned a
number of these will potentially increase homelessness, such as
the 10% reduction in hB for those on JSA for over a year. More
information on hB changes can be found on our website here:
http://www.homeless.org.uk/closed-consultations
8. Take steps to protect providers of supported accommodation from loss of income if they accommodate vulnerable and chaotic residents who are most at risk of benefit reductions or suspension. Take steps to protect providers of supported accommodation from loss of income if they accommodate vulnerable and chaotic residents who are most at risk of benefit reductions or suspension.
Supported housing and rough sleeping will be impacted by the
changes outlined above because move on from the supported
sector is likely to become increasingly limited. The changes
may also lead to some councils having to refocus on the priority
homeless cases, as they will have decreased capacity and
decreased funding. This may be to the detriment of non-priority
single homeless people which will include many rough sleepers.
however, the limited cut to the SP budget and the announcement
of an additional £40 million for discretionary housing payment to
local authorities will mean that providers can make the case for
limiting the detrimental impact on provision for the most vulnerable.
9. Ensure housing, health and social care work together more effectively to maximise the value of public investment, meeting the needs of older and vulnerable people, and jointly investing in prevention/early intervention and support.
The framework for social care and public health has not yet been
published. It is not yet clear how the needs of homeless people will
be recognised within this renewed emphasis on joint working. One
welcome aspect of the announcement is the extra £2bn for social
care which includes £1bn to support joint working between the
NhS and social care - specifically to break down the long-standing
barriers between health and social care. Effective joint working
is important to people with complex needs so we hope this small
budget will address some of those issues.
10. Maintain public health funding in real terms during the period 2011-2015 and take into account the local vulnerable and homeless population in supported accommodation in the allocation for public health.
Public health is one of the few ring fenced budgets. The framework
for public health is due to be published this Autumn and we
have yet to see how much the interface between poor housing,
homelessness and poor health is recognised.
![Page 8: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
COMMENT CONNECT | WINTER 2010
The principal problem of deep, fast and unfocused cuts
to housing and social assistance programs is that they’re
not really cuts at all – in fact, by being “arbitrary and
unreasonable”, government risks incurring greater costs
down the road. This is the problem Canada faces today.
“I was accused of being arbitrary and unreasonable. And I was.” former Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin, Financial Times, June 7, 2010.
HOMELESSNESS IN CANADA In the early 1990’s homelessness was such a minor issue in
Canada that there were very few counts completed. In
one of the country’s first homeless counts in 1992, the City
of Calgary counted 447 people as homeless. By 2008
that number had exploded to over 4,060, including an
estimated 300 rough sleepers.
UNINTENDED CONSEqUENCESThe Canadian government, inherited by newly elected
Prime Minister Jean Chretien in 1993, was awash in
debt. That year, Wall Street Journal called Canada “an
honorary member of the Third World” when our national
debt was heading towards a peak of 72 per cent of the
size of the economy.
facing an unsustainable debt and deficit, the federal
government quickly set about implementing budget
a leSSon learneD?Nearly a decade and a half after the sweeping and arbitrary cuts of the mid-1990s, Canadians are struggling to undo the unnatural disaster of homelessness unwittingly unleashed upon our most vulnerable citizens. Tim Richter, President and CEO of Calgary Homelessness Foundation, describes how there is a lot to be learned from the unintended, and ultimately expensive, consequences of Canada’s approach.
cuts and within four years had eliminated a C$42 billion
budget deficit.
This was accomplished with deep cuts to provincial
transfers (the money the federal government pays
to provinces that the provinces in turn use to pay for
everything from health care to welfare) and cuts to direct
federal spending on almost everything. Among the cuts
was the national affordable housing program (in place
since in 1973) ending federal investment in new affordable
housing. This left the provincial governments, also fighting
significant budget deficits, to pick up the slack, which
they could not.
Throughout the 1990’s reduced transfers of funding
to provinces saw reductions and restrictions in social
assistance across the country. Tightening eligibility criteria
saw the number of households receiving assistance in
Canada falling dramatically from a peak of 3.1 million in
1993 to 1.7 million by 2005.
And as fewer people could access social assistance, the
amount of money received by those that could was also
cut. When adjusted for inflation, a single unemployed
Alberta resident in 2008 was receiving 33 percent less
than in 1986, a disabled single person lost eight percent
in the same period and a single parent with a dependent
child lost 18 percent.
With insufficient affordable housing in the system,
vulnerable Canadians were forced to rely on the private
![Page 9: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 9
COMMENTCONNECT | WINTER 2010
rental market. Incomes afforded by social assistance
were, and still are, nowhere near sufficient to support
private rental housing.
Both the single job seeker and the disabled single person
on social assistance were over $20,000 per year short
of the income necessary to affordably rent a bachelor
apartment in Calgary in 2008. A single parent with one
child found themselves more than $31,000 per year
short of affordably renting an average two bedroom
apartment.
By cutting affordable housing programs and drastically
cutting social assistance through the 1990’s people
who might otherwise have lived in social housing and/
or received income supports lost their housing and were
forced into emergency services. In effect – we eliminated
at least part of our budget deficit on the backs of our
most vulnerable citizens.
A BUDGET SHELL GAME The sad truth we face in Canada today is that cuts to
social assistance and housing in the 1990’s were not really
cuts at all, in fact, we’re paying more now to clean up the
mess.
To respond to the growing homeless problem in Canada,
communities across the country built emergency shelters
and created emergency assistance programs.
Based on a conservative homeless count of 150,000
people, one 2007 study estimated that homelessness
today costs Canadian taxpayers between C$4.5 and C$6
billion per year.
By comparison, a one percent reduction in the Goods
and Services Tax (our version of the VAT) cost the
government C$4.35 billion in 2006.
In Calgary alone, we estimate that at least C$320 million
is being spent on homelessness every year, much of it on
expensive public systems like health care and jail.
People experiencing homelessness have poorer health
than the average Canadian, often having one or more
chronic conditions, as well as untreated mental health
and addictions issues.
Multiple emergency health visits followed by death at a
young age is a reality for many homeless people, who
are three to four times more likely to die prematurely than
non-homeless people of the same age.
In a recent survey by the Calgary homeless foundation,
nearly 80 percent of homeless people interviewed
reported spending time in jail over the last year.
Research and recent Canadian experience shows
that affordable and supportive housing is five times less
expensive than our current institutional responses to
homelessness (jails, hospitals) and about half the cost of
emergency shelter.
COMING TO GRIPS wITH THE PROBLEM
In 2007, faced with a homelessness disaster in Calgary
getting worse no matter what we tried, business leaders
gathered a cross section of community members to form
the Calgary Committee to End homelessness. Taking our
lead from successful programs in US, we embarked on
a 10 Year Plan to End homelessness driven by the belief
that ultimately it would cost less to fix homelessness than it
would to allow it to continue.
We estimated that if nothing was done and homelessness
continued to grow at the same rate as it had for the
decade before, well over C$9 billion would be spent on
homelessness over the next decade. By implementing
a 10 Year Plan to End homelessness, we believe we can
save over C$3.6 billion by 2018. That’s just in Calgary.
In March 2008, the Government of Alberta – run by the
same conservative party for nearly 40 years – became
the first and only government in Canada to commit itself
to ending homelessness in 10 years. Moreover, it has
committed hundreds of millions of dollars to the cause.
Why did Calgary’s conservative business elite lead a plan
to end homelessness? Because beyond the humanitarian
tragedy, homelessness an epic waste of taxpayer dollars.
A waste made all the more hard to swallow because it’s
entirely preventable.
THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE The Canadian experience in deficit reduction shows that
deep, fast and unfocused cuts to housing and social
assistance programs are not really cuts at all – in fact,
governments are in effect deferring payment on housing
and social assistance into the future several years, and
shifting added cost to other lines on the government’s
balance sheet.
If you have to take any deficit fighting lessons from
Canada take from us that “arbitrary and unreasonable”
cuts to housing and social assistance that are too deep
or unfocused will do more harm than good and cost
taxpayers more in the long term.
![Page 10: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
FEATURES CONNECT | WINTER 2010
But our country has a long and proud tradition of
welcoming newcomers who have had to flee from their
own country.
Today the UK maintains that tradition of offering
protection, albeit after a painful and often debilitating
process, to people fleeing from countries such as Somalia,
Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and China. The one common
denominator of these countries is their scant regard for
human rights.
In the current debate around wider economic migration,
it is vitally important to focus on the reasons why
people seek asylum and refugee status. To address this
fundamental question, we commissioned Dr. heaven
Crawley at Swansea University to undertake a qualitative
piece of research to develop a better understanding of
why people seek asylum in the UK. The resulting report,
Chance or Choice, is a graphic and harrowing collection
of personal tales of why people had to flee their homes
and also of how little they knew about the UK, or, indeed,
of their final destination. They were desperate to go
anywhere safe. This report can be downloaded from the
Refugee Council at: http://bit.ly/e9Z7wE.
DeStInatIon Unknown
Asylum and housing hit the news again recently when Birmingham City Council was reported as wanting to stop accepting asylum seekers because councillors wanted to give homes to local people instead (Telegraph 8th October 2010).
When a person comes to the UK, they need to make a
formal asylum application within 72 hours at the home
Office in Croydon. Upon making such an application,
they will receive asylum support (around 70% of income
support), be refused the right to work and then be
dispersed to accommodation in any one of the four
corners of the UK. This position will be sustained until a
decision is made by the UK Border Agency (the arms
length agency of the home Office).
Yet why was it when in 2009 the Asylum Support
Partnership (the NGOs delivering support to asylum
seekers) studied in detail the accommodation of their
clients they found that 48% or 1972 visits to their offices
were made by destitute people? Download the PDf
from the Refugee Council website: http://bit.ly/fgzOF8.
Around 30% of these clients were destitute because
of delays in processing asylum support. This is just
unacceptable. Since the publication of this report the
NGOs have worked hard with the UKBA to address this
problem.
The more deep rooted problem was the 60% of destitute
clients who were destitute because they were refused
asylum seekers.
What is even more revealing is that 50% of all visits by such
destitute people were from just four countries: Iraq, Iran,
Eritrea and Zimbabwe.
So there is both the issue of administrative failing causing
destitution and of some refused asylum seekers for whom
return to their home country in the short-term is difficult if
not impossible.
Yet even for those of our clients who do receive refugee
Jonathan Ellis, Director of Advocacy at the Refugee Council, describes the weaknesses in the asylum system and the urgent need for change in public policy in this area.
![Page 11: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 11
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
download from the Refugee Council website) it seems to
have done little to remove this perceived injustice from
the wider debate on migration.
In terms of developing our public policy on this issue,
we clearly need urgent action. for people still in the
asylum system, who find themselves destitute, NGOs at
a national, regional and local level need to continue to
be powerful advocates to ensure that destitution is not
caused by administrative failure. for those at the end of
the process, we need to be so much more creative. If
someone has exhausted their appeal rights, but return
to their home country is impossible, is destitution the only
viable public policy response? What about limited leave
to remain with the right to work as opposed to letting
them fester here with no home or income?
And for those who receive refugee status, we also
need to be much more imaginative. The Refugee
Council needs to work increasingly closely
with housing providers so that refugees are
supported in finding the best housing solutions
for them, and not just left to find their own
way and then run the risk of presenting at
homeless shelters.
If anything in this article has struck a chord with
you, we would be delighted to hear from you to
help us develop more creative ways to reduce
the risk of such destitution.
Email: [email protected]
status, the danger of destitution does not vanish.
Once you have received your refugee status, you are
given 28 days notice to leave your asylum support
accommodation. Now, if you have lived in this country
all your life, you might struggle to find a new home in that
time period. But if you are new to the country, English
is not your first language and you have no savings for
a deposit and advance rent, indeed you have been
expressly forbidden to work and hence unable to provide
for yourself, how on earth might you be expected to find
a home in 28 days?
for many of the refugees that I have spoken to, receiving
their status is the just the start of the battle. To avoid
becoming street homeless, many new refugees are
forced to turn to their own family and community to find
an initial home. At the Refugee Council over the last few
years, the importance of housing to our refugee clients
has become ever more central to our work. We are not
looking for special favours for our clients, but recognition
of their vulnerability and need for support to find a home.
It is, I think, of paramount importance to a refugee, who
has faced such insecurity and fear in their life, that we
are able to help them to find a safe and secure home
from which to rebuild their lives.
All of these operational challenges to support our clients
must be seen in the context of growing media hostility
to migrants in general and in particular to the view that
refugees receive preferential treatment in housing. The
fact that the Equality and human Rights Commission
investigated this allegation last year and found no
evidence to support it (see http://bit.ly/fzCNp3 PDf
![Page 12: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
FEATURES CONNECT | WINTER 2010
A major Migration Policy Institute report estimates that 1.5 million Eastern Europeans have entered the Uk since 2004. Gill Perkins, Head of Communications, looks at the role of Homeless Link and its members in finding solutions to the growing number of migrants who find themselves destitute on our streets.
In 2004, while the majority of EU states put strong,
temporary, employment restrictions on their borders,
the UK welcomed the opportunity to increase its labour
market. Many A8 migrants believed Britain’s booming
economy offered the opportunity of a better standard
of living and arrived in far greater numbers than was
anticipated.
EARLY SIGNS OF A PROBLEMThe issue first appeared on homeless link’s radar when
some members raised concerns about queues of people
waiting outside day centres in the days and weeks
following accession in May 2004. They were struggling
to deal with a huge increase in demand. Most of these
people had no recourse to public funds, including
housing benefits, due to transitional arrangements put in
place before accession.
cee MIGratIon In the Uk
2006 RESEARCHIn March 2006 homeless link undertook the first research
into homelessness amongst this group.
The key findings• 15% of people seen using london homelessness
services were A8s, mainly Polish
• Two distinct groups emerged:
- Those relatively new to the streets with minimal
support needs (primarily language and
employment)
- A smaller group with more serious support needs,
common to longer-term rough sleeping. Without
intervention, this group’s problems were likely to
increase over time as a result of restrictions on their
entitlements.
You can read the executive summary on our website:
http://bit.ly/eJ5El3 (PDf download).
THE ACCELERATION OF THE PROBLEM In November 2008, we replicated this research, and found
that a quarter of rough sleepers were from Central and
Eastern Europe. The ChAIN database has since shown
a further rise in the absolute number of people from
A8 countries (and A2s since January 2007) on london’s
streets alongside an increase in the proportion of migrant
rough sleepers. See the article on page 18 for more
details.
The issue was recognised explicitly in the government’s
2008 strategy No One Left Out: Communities Ending Rough Sleeping.
SOLUTIONSMany agencies are adapting to meet the challenges
presented by this group, while specific services have
developed to meet additional needs, including
reconnection initiatives from Thames Reach and CRI.
You can read more about good practice in this edition
of Connect and at www.homeless.org.uk/central-eastern-europeans
wHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?No-one should be left destitute and excluded from basic
support in Twenty-first Century Britain. Rough sleeping
should not be an unintended consequence of policy.
We are campaigning nationally on the need to reduce
rough sleeping among migrants. We are working
with national government to “destitution-proof” new
proposals, especially around benefit changes or
future accessions. We are also encouraging national
government to work with local authorities to ensure that
all homeless people from CEE countries receive short-term
support from the appropriate services to enable them to
find work or return home.
![Page 13: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 13
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
theY coMe to work, not to USe SerVIceS
Supporting the growing number
of homeless CEE nationals is an
ever more pressing concern in the
economic downturn. Whilst many
of their compatriots have prospered in this country, others
have found themselves living rough on the streets. With
access to limited benefits, this could be for a variety of
reasons, such as employment contracts ending (perhaps
with tied accommodation) or because they have been
exploited by fraudulent employment agencies.
In the last year our dedicated work and learning coaches
have worked with 140 clients – mainly Polish, then
lithuanian and Czech - and supported 60 of these into
employment. Whilst substance misuse and mental health
issues are common, we find people are generally very
motivated to look for employment and, with the right
support, often find it reasonably quickly. They are often
willing to relocate anywhere in the UK, even moving as
far as from london to Scotland. Although most have
no formal UK qualifications, many have up to level 2
qualifications from their country of origin and some are
even more highly skilled.
We support our clients to overcome the barriers they face
be that language issues, a lack of documents, difficulties
writing CVs, getting a National Insurance number or
becoming self-employed. We also offer access to a range
of training opportunities.
however, despite our best efforts, some real problems
remain for our clients, not least the lack of access to
The majority of Central and Eastern Europeans (CEEs) want to work and get back on their feet, but need help to do so. Barnaby Green, Employment Team Leader at Crisis, reviews how they established a specialist programme for CEE clients with the support of funding from the Oak Foundation.
public funds, difficulties accessing detox services and
legal advice and a lack of accommodation. Many start
work while still rough sleeping.
At Crisis we are concerned that much of the debate
around helping CEEs focuses only on the enforcement
and reconnections. Whilst this has its place, there needs
to be a wider debate about what other support we can
offer. Better services will not attract people. People come
here wanting to work, not to use services or support and
most will have no idea about what services exist. We
need to ensure that the right services are available and
that we particularly address accommodation issues.
Otherwise, with unemployment continuing to rise, more
and more CEEs are likely to end up with no choice but to
sleep on the streets.
caSe StUDY After 6 months working in the UK, RK (a lithuanian
man in his 30s) lost his job and became street
homeless. he came to Crisis with no ID or NI
number and speaking no English. We helped
him to get new documents, registered him
into ESOl classes, CSCS and our job club. We
supported him to find a job and were then able
to get him into some short term accommodation
to help him sustain employment. RK now works
as a kitchen porter and lives in private rented
accommodation.
![Page 14: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
Unknown tranSItIonS
Next year signals the seventh anniversary of the A8 accession process, the point at which the 2004 Transitional Arrangements across the EU are due to cease. Paul Anderson, Head of London at Homeless Link, considers the question many are now asking: what will the entitlement status of A8 nationals be when the transitional arrangements end in April 2011?
When the Czech
Republic, Estonia,
hungary, latvia,
lithuania, Poland,
Slovakia and Slovenia
joined the EU on 1
May 2004, all but
three existing members of the EU put quite stringent
transitional labour market restrictions in place. Three
states, Ireland, Sweden and the UK, chose not to do
this. Instead of considering restrictions similar to those
applied to Romania and Bulgaria in 2007, our government
introduced:
• The Workers Registration Scheme: workers were
supposed to make a registration payment once
in employment, although it did not apply to self-
employment. In spite of its clear limitations, the WRS
was often used as the official government measure of
A8 migration to the UK.
• Restrictions around access to Public funds: individuals
from A8 countries were not entitled to many Welfare
Benefits or statutory homelessness Assistance unless
they had enjoyed an unbroken period of work or were
in employment at the time of application.
Under European law, Transitional Arrangements like
these can be introduced initially for three years, with
the possibility of two consecutive two year extensions,
if there is an economic need. The UK government took
advantage of both extensions.
however, next May will see the seventh anniversary of the
accession. There are no more extensions available.
Along with many homelessness agencies, local
authorities and A8 migrants, we are wondering what will
happen next?
Some parts of the media are certain they know. In March
the Mail on Sunday stated “from April 2011, immigrants
from Poland, Estonia, latvia, hungary, lithuania, Slovakia,
Slovenia and the Czech Republic – where income
levels are 40 per cent of the European average – will
be allowed to claim Jobseekers’ Allowance and other
benefits after just three months.” So is the Mail right?
All the evidence appears to be that from next May A8
migrants will have the same rights to work and claim
benefits in the UK as all other EU nationals coming into the
UK, subject to a habitual Residence Test, first introduced
in 1994 with the professed aim of ending ‘benefit tourism’.
In January 2010 The house of Commons library published
a briefing for Members of Parliament (SN/SP/416)
reiterating some of the workings of the hRT. Specifically, it
raised a number of key points relevant to the A8 eligibility
question:
• All EU citizens who have recently arrived in the
country claiming certain means-tested social security
benefits, or seek housing assistance, must show they
are ‘habitually resident’. This includes returning UK
nationals. A person who fails the hRT is treated as a
‘person from abroad’ and is ineligible for benefits.
![Page 15: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 15
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
• There is no definitive list of factors which determines
whether a person is habitually resident. Precedent
has established that things that should be considered
include, but are not exclusive to:
a) The length, continuity and general
nature of actual residence
b) Reasons for coming to the UK
c) The claimant’s future intentions
• The DWP or council approached by a claimant should
look at each case individually and consider all the
relevant facts in the light of the case law before
reaching a decision. The decision about whether or
not someone is habitually resident should be made
on the balance of probabilities, with the onus of proof
lying with the DWP or local authority.
The briefing also stated: “In practice, it is only people
who are identified from their benefit claim details as
having come/returned to the UK within the last two
years immediately prior to their claim who are actively
subjected to the habitual residence test. (Originally the
period was five years, but this was reduced as one of
the outcomes following the Government’s review of the
habitual residence test – 14 June 1999).”
however, while this is not a bad overview, the
implementation of the hRT is a lot less clear than the
briefing suggests. how complicated might it be for staff
at Job Centre Plus or local authorities to assess the former
and future intentions of, for example, a Polish man I once
met. he had arrived in the UK a number of years ago
under the Transitional Arrangements. he now has no
documents, has never been on the Workers Registration
Scheme, has been sleeping on the streets, says he does
not want to return home and does not speak English. lives
like his are rarely straightforward to assess or balance on
a form.
In the current climate around benefits it seems unlikely
that the Mail is right, but we can’t make any assumptions
yet. We now have to wait until we have seen the first test
cases next year to know how exactly how the hRT is going
to be applied for A8 migrants.
SUrVIVInG the cUtS 8 FEBRUARY 2011 | LONDON
For more information or to book your place:T: 020 7840 4461 E: [email protected]
www.HOMELESS.ORG.Uk/SURVIVING-THE-CUTS
One day conference looking at the impact of the spending review and how to protect your service against the cuts. This event will:• explore the pressures that agencies are facing and share resulting
strategies to deal with them
• share practical ways to safeguard your service and deliver the
required efficiencies
• explore new opportunities that these changes will create
• look at how you can demonstrate the difference that you make in
order to generate support for your work
• empower you to change through campaigning and local influencing.
We need to harness our knowledge, passion and resilience that we have
shown so often in tackling homelessness, to face the challenges ahead
and improve the long-term prospects for our clients.
![Page 16: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
FEATURES CONNECT | WINTER 2010
Homelessness and destitution are a daily reality for hundreds of people seeking asylum who have been refused protection but feel they cannot return to their home country. Julia Ravenscroft, of the national charity Refugee Action, looks at the situation of people caught in ‘limbo’ and some of the ways destitution could be prevented.
This year, millions of people got a glimpse into the lives
of destitute asylum seekers when Channel 4’s The Secret
Millionaire highlighted their plight and the work of
Refugee Action in leicester.
Millionaire Jahan Abedi was shocked when he met
several Zimbabwean men sharing a small room and a
grandmother from Rwanda who had been surviving
hand-to-mouth for some years. All had been refused
asylum and told to return to their home country or they
would lose all support. fully refused asylum seekers
are given 21 days before their housing and support is
removed. Many of those Mr Abedi met felt their cases
had not been properly heard and, as asylum seekers are
not allowed to work, had found themselves on the fringes
of society.
A report produced in June this year by leicester Refugee
and Asylum Seekers Voluntary Sector forum revealed that
of 225 destitute asylum seekers surveyed, 131 had been
Secret MIllIonaIre GIVeS DeStItUte woMen a freSh Start
without support for more than a year, with 48 saying they
had been in the that situation for 5 years.
Mr Abedi’s donation to Refugee Action is helping to set
up a project for destitute women in leicester called fresh
Start. The women will be housed for up to 6 months and a
Refugee Action case worker will work closely with them to
help find a solution to their cases.
The problem of destitution stretches far beyond the
boundaries of leicester, however.
Refugee Action believes that one of the ways to prevent
destitution at the end of the process is to improve the
information people get at the beginning and the support
they receive throughout.
The charity has been piloting a scheme in liverpool
called the Key Worker Pilot (KWP) which supports 200
people over 12 months. A designated key worker advises
each asylum seeker from the outset with information
about the asylum system and likely outcomes. The
worker assists each person to access a solicitor and feel
supported. Six months into the pilot, 36 per cent of people
have received a positive decision - far higher than the
national average. In addition, fewer cases are successful
on appeal, indicating that the KWP is contributing
towards more correct decisions at the initial home Office
interview.
Dave Garratt, acting Chief Executive of Refugee Action,
said: “The KWP and fresh Start are about providing
sustainable solutions for people so that they don’t fall
through the cracks and become destitute. The majority
of people claim asylum in good faith and those who
are rejected are often totally unprepared. By receiving
independent support and building up a trust relationship,
key workers give people help and realistic advice and we
are seeing positive results from this approach.”
![Page 17: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 17
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
DeStItUtIon In the leIceSter aSYlUM SYSteMAsylum seekers are still sleeping on the streets, sofa-
surfing and living hand-to-mouth, according to the
fifth annual report on destitution in leicester. The
survey, entitled Destitution in the Asylum System in
leicester, was carried out by Refugee Action, the
British Red Cross, The Assist Surgery, leicester Aids
Support Service (lASS), the leicestershire Congolese
Mutual Group and the Welcome Project.
The report shows that some people had become
destitute because their asylum claim had been
rejected, but they had not returned back to
their home country, while seven said they were
temporarily destitute because of delays in
getting support after they had received a positive
decision. Others cited issues like the lack of legal
representation and administrative errors as the
reason.
Kasim, an asylum seeker from Burundi, said he is
waiting to see if he will be entitled to section 4
voucher support and in the meantime he is destitute.
he said: “Occasionally I can stay with friends, but
mostly I have to sleep rough. I am lucky to get
one meal a day and I have no access to cooking
facilities. I don’t care for myself because I don’t know
what will happen to me that day. I don’t know where
I will sleep tonight. I feel dead inside. Not hungry, not
sad. Just fearful and dead.”
If an asylum seeker has their claim fully refused their
support is removed unless they sign up to return
home voluntarily, they are too sick to travel or the
home Office rules that there is no safe route of return.
If none of these applies, then any support is removed
within 21 days. Asylum seekers are not allowed to
work to support themselves. Many stay rather than
return to their home country.
Amanda Soraghan, area manager of the charity
Refugee Action in leicester, said: “This report shows
that are still many people living on the streets of
leicester who have been refused asylum but who
say they are too afraid to go home.
![Page 18: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
the cee StorY In StatSBecky Rice, Research and Information Manager at Broadway, describes what CHAIN tells us about rough sleeping amongst Central and Eastern European nationals.
ChAIN is used to record work undertaken by outreach
teams and other homelessness services across london.
The system focuses on those contacted on the street and
does not cover hidden homeless groups such as ‘sofa
surfers’.
In 2009/10 just over a quarter (845) of those seen rough
sleeping by outreach teams were from Central and
Eastern European (CEE) countries. The table below shows
the increasing proportion of rough sleepers who are from
CEE countries over the last five years from 9% in 2005/06
to the 2009/10 level. In 2009/10 47% of people seen rough
sleeping from CEE countries were Polish. The next largest
group was lithuanians (14%). People from ten accession
countries were represented.
PROPORTION OF PEOPLE SEEN ROUGH SLEEPING FROM THE Uk, CEE COUNTRIES & OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: 2005/06 – 2000/10
Nationality 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10
UK 64% 62% 58% 58% 52%
CEE 9% 11% 14% 18% 26%
Other Europe (inc. Italy & Portugal)
8% 9% 7% 8% 7%
The graph below reveals that CEE rough sleeping is
having an increasing influence in the slight upwards trend
in people seen rough sleeping (as analysed in monthly
periods since May 2007). This is demonstrated by the gap
between the top two trend lines on the graph. In fact,
where CEE rough sleepers are excluded there is a slight
downward trend in the number of people seen rough
sleeping over recent years.
PEOPLE SEEN ROUGH SLEEPING wITH TREND LINES FOR ALL ROUGH SLEEPERS, ALL EXCLUDING CEE PEOPLE AND CEE PEOPLE ONLY
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
Oct-07Dec-07Feb-08Apr-08Jun-08Aug-08Oct-08Dec-08Feb-09Apr-09Jun-09Aug-09Oct-09Dec-09Feb-10Apr-10Jun-10Aug-10
All CEE Without CEE
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900Oct-07D
ec-07 Feb-08 Apr-08 Jun-08A
ug-08 Oct-08D
ec-08 Feb-09 Apr-09 Jun-09A
ug-09 Oct-09D
ec-09 Feb-10 Apr-10 Jun-10A
ug-10
All
CEEW
ithout CEE
Oct-07
Dec-07
Feb-08
Apr-08
Jun-08
Aug-08
Oct-08
Dec-08
Feb-09
Apr-09
Jun-09
Aug-09
Oct-09
Dec-09
Feb-10
Apr-10
Jun-10
Aug-10
![Page 19: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 19
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
There is clear evidence that some people from CEE
countries are becoming more long term rough sleepers
in london. Three quarters of CEE clients were ‘flow’ i.e.
new to the streets in 2009/10. The remaining quarter were
largely ‘stock’ clients i.e. people who were seen rough
sleeping in two or more consecutive years. Just over one
in ten of CEE clients (12%) seen rough sleeping in 2009/10
were first contacted in 2007 or before.
In a recent Broadway study about new rough sleepers,
CEE rough sleepers situations varied from having serious
alcohol problems and rough sleeping with little prospect
of finding work, to those for whom tied accommodation
had ended, and those skilled and ready to work but
unable to secure the jobs they had expected.
2009/10 saw a marked increase in the number of
records on ChAIN showing CEEs accessing short term
accommodation. The largest contributors to this were
the Severe Weather Emergency Provision available to
all rough sleepers in very cold weather and the Olallo
Project which specifically focuses on providing ‘short term
accommodation and help for migrants, with no recourse
to public funds.’
Just over 120 people are identified on ChAIN as having
been advised or supported to return to a home area
in 2009/10. Information from the new ChAIN system
(launched in May 2010) will be far more comprehensive in
this area.
CHAIN TELLS US:• Tackling rough sleeping amongst CEE people is a
central component of ending rough sleeping
• The group is diverse and a range of approaches will
be required to end rough sleeping in this group
• There is a flow of people into the streets who are likely
to find paid work with short term support around
employment and accommodation
• There are CEE people who have worked in the UK, but
are very vulnerable to rough sleeping whenever they
fall out of work due to benefits restrictions
• There are people who have slept rough for a
considerable period of time with little prospect for
finding work.
• Alcohol misuse is a key issue in longer term rough
sleeping in this group with a quarter of all CEE
rough sleepers having an alcohol support need.
This compares with 60% of the ‘stock’ of CEE rough
sleepers (so people seen in two or more years) who
have a need in this area.
![Page 20: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
or do not have a genuine prospect of doing so, the UK
Border Agency expects them to return home.
Support services are available for those who want to
return home or who are willing to contribute to the
community. Over 230 people have returned home
voluntarily so far with help to find accommodation and
be reconnected with friends and family, whilst others
have taken up the offer of support back into employment.
Removal action is only taken in cases where the individual
consistently refuses this support and is left destitute. 55
people have been administratively removed since the
start of the project.
We are starting to see positive results of demonstrating
that EU nationals without a right to reside should return
home. for instance, the most recent head count by
Peterborough City Council showed a significantly
reduced number of EU nationals sleeping rough – 26
compared to 63 when this new approach launched.
We have been pleased with the results to date and
are currently evaluating the effectiveness and resource
implications of the pilot before deciding whether to roll
out this approach nationally.
to Be or not to Be – the DeBate on aDMInIStratIVe reMoVal
Hannah Gregory, Deputy Director for London at the Uk Border Agency reviews the case for administrative removal.
The UK Border Agency has been working with partner
agencies, including local authorities, the police and
street Outreach workers trialling a new approach to
tackle the issue of rough sleeping among those with no
legal right to stay in the UK. Rough sleeping can often
be associated with anti-social behaviour and also
prove to be a serious health threat to the rough sleepers
themselves.
The project developed through a noticeable increase in
the proportion of non-UK and particularly nationals of the
newer European Member States rough sleeping in london
and other areas. The UK Border Agency was asked to
attend the Greater london Authority’s Rough Sleeping
Delivery Board. At this board we committed to explore
the legal and resource implications of using our powers
under European law. In April this year, we began a full
pilot in six areas to test this approach with our partners,
with a particular focus on Westminster and Peterborough,
The legal position is that European nationals who have
been in the country for longer than three months have
to be working, studying, self-employed or self-sufficient in
order to have a legal right to stay in the UK. If they are not,
IN RESPONSE TO HIGH LEVELS OF ROUGH SLEEPING AMONGST FOREIGN NATIONALS, UkBA IS PILOTING ADMINISTRATIVE REMOVAL IN PARTNERSHIP wITH OTHER AGENCIES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE Uk. ALTHOUGH EU NATIONALS ARE FREE TO MOVE BETwEEN NATION STATES’ BORDERS, THEY CAN BE REMOVED IF THEY CANNOT PROVE THEY ARE SELF SUFFICIENT (IE wORkING) THREE MONTHS AFTER COMING TO THE Uk. UNLIkE DEPORTATION, ADMINISTRATIVE REMOVAL DOES NOT BAR SOMEONE FROM APPLYING TO RETURN TO THE Uk IF HE OR SHE CAN MEET THE REqUIREMENTS OF THE IMMIGRATION RULES FOR COMING TO THE Uk. CONNECT MAGAZINE LOOkS AT SOME OF THE PERSPECTIVES ON THIS TOPICAL ISSUE.
![Page 21: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 21
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
Ruth Grove-white, Policy Officer at Migrants’ Rights Network gives her view on the problems associated with expelling Eastern European Rough Sleepers.
The new UKBA pilot scheme to remove
homeless EU nationals who do not want to leave the
UK offers an apparently simple solution to a growing
problem for many local authorities and frontline charities
across the UK. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer.
Surely, when foreign nationals are entrenched in rough
sleeping and appear beyond the help of the authorities,
the immigration authorities should help to return them
back to their home country where they can receive the
assistance they need?
But the disquiet from lawyers and advocacy groups
in response to the pilot programme indicates that the
solution to this problem may not be so simple. Instead,
the approach taken by the UKBA pilot risks worsening the
problems faced by migrants, whilst generating mistrust
and fear within local communities.
Of course the rise in homelessness among EU migrants
must be tackled. But we need to be honest about the
wider causes of this trend. Reports from community-
based organisations indicate that the slide into
homelessness for migrants living here often arises from a
series of bad experiences. homeless EU migrants have
commonly experienced exploitation within the labour
market, poor treatment in the private housing sector and
a lack of wider community support.
for many Eastern European migrants, these difficulties
have been worsened by the fact that they have far more
restricted access to social benefits and housing than
British citizens and most other EU migrants. The expulsion
programme does nothing to address these issues,
but instead appears to punish the most vulnerable of
migrants when they are at their lowest.
Even on its own terms, the pilot can only have a limited
impact, as it is dealing with European nationals.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many simply return to
the UK – their legal right as European citizens with the right
to free movement across the EU. Removing European
migrants under these circumstances may well also turn
out to be unlawful under EU law – an assertion made by
prominent human rights lawyers in the field and as yet
untested in the courts.
Given these considerations, the UKBA pilot programme
looks far from being a handy solution to homelessness
among EU nationals. We need to call for a full and open
review of this pilot, in order that a more sustainable and
humane solution to these problems can be found.
forThere should be no reason for anyone to sleep
rough in london. It harms the individual and it
harms communities. As such Broadway actively
supports a range of interventions necessary
to support, challenge and inspire people to
come off the streets. What does that mean
for the UKBA initiative? Well we fully support
it as an important part of a wider approach
and alongside other interventions from more
‘personalised’ support, through support from
BARKA and others to the more traditional street
outreach approaches. If all are used sensitively
and appropriately in a coherent and thought
through way then the vision of a capital where
no-one needs to spend a second night out
could and should be realised.
Howard Sinclair, Chief Executive, Broadway Homelessness and Supportwww.broadwaylondon.org
aGaInStThere is a strong thread running through all the
major world religions which is about caring for
the needy and offering hospitality to strangers.
With that as a starting point the immediate
moral response to destitute migrants is shelter
and support. for Christians there is also a deep
appreciation of the sanctity of the individual as
a carrier of the image of God. from this flows
respect for individual freedom and a concern
about the morality of actions which curtail that
freedom when no harm is taking place. A fully
moral response would perhaps take time to
discern the situation of each person, providing
both a welcome and a stepping stone,
regardless of origin or status.
Alison Gelder, Chief Executive, Housing Justicewww.housingjustice.org.uk
![Page 22: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
In the six years following the expansion of the European Union in May 2004 an estimated 20,000 people moved to Peterborough from primarily former Eastern Bloc nations. Sarah Hebblethwaite, Homelessness Prevention Manager at Peterborough City Council describes the approach they are using to help find solutions for this group.
While the vast majority of these new arrivals succeeded
in finding employment and homes, a small number failed
to achieve their aims and resorted to living rough, often in
tarpaulin bivouacs and tents pitched in wooded areas on
the fringes of the city.
By spring 2009 outreach workers identified around 60
rough sleepers in Peterborough – numbers more often
experienced by inner london boroughs.
Rough sleepers invariably descend into a spiral of poor
health, drink or drug dependency, exploitation by
unscrupulous employers, danger of physical harm and
criminal activity such as shoplifting and begging. Well-
meaning groups that offer them hand-outs of food and
clothing only help perpetuate their deplorable condition.
At the same time, local residents feel intimidated and
excluded from public open spaces where rough sleepers
are camping and feel threatened when accosted by
drunks or beggars on the streets.
Clearly, these scenarios are unacceptable in civilised, 21st
century societies.
Peterborough City Council appealed for help from the
Department for Communities and local Government
(DClG), which engaged social care charity CRI in
assisting destitute rough sleepers re-establish a dignified
existence by returning to the security of their home
countries.
peterBoroUGh takeS coMpaSSIonate actIon
CRI was instrumental in assisting 34 people re-connect
with their home communities between September 2009
and March 2010. however, more help was needed.
Beginning in April 2010, the UK Border Agency supported
a pilot project in Peterborough focusing on solving the
challenges faced by rough sleepers and communities
affected by their presence.
Outreach workers typically offer rough sleepers advice
on finding work, accommodation and help in tackling
drink and drug dependency. Between April and
September 24 found work accommodation, or left the
streets; 23 voluntarily returned to their home countries;
and, following formal serving of notices, 11 were
administratively removed by UKBA.
We know of only two people who have come back to
Peterborough after returning home. however, a further 25
new arrivals have begun sleeping rough in Peterborough
so our efforts continue.
I am convinced that this approach serves the best
interests of the rough sleepers and, in all but one case,
those returning to their home countries have thanked me
for my help and shaken hands before departing.
The European Union treaty allows residents of A10
member states to live in the UK provided they can support
themselves. The compassionate response is to help any
who become destitute rough-sleepers to regain their
dignity by returning to their home countries where they
will have the support of family, friends and a modern
social system.
from my observations of the pitiable existence of rough
sleepers, I believe this joint approach with UK Border
Agency meets the long-term best interests primarily of the
rough-sleepers themselves.
![Page 23: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 23
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
Migrant homelessness has a face – that of a refused
asylum seeker who “should not be here” but cannot
return to his home country ravaged by war; or that of a
battered wife who cannot return to her abusive husband;
or that of an Eastern European worker who perhaps lost
a live-in job before becoming eligible for mainstream
benefits. Praxis – a charity providing support to vulnerable
migrants, including those with no recourse to public funds
– increasingly sees homeless migrants on its doorstep.
wHAT AVENUES OF SUPPORT?As a rule, migrants’ homelessness is not a standalone
problem. In a vast majority of cases a migrant’s
immigration status has a direct bearing on it, especially
if it bars them from accessing conventional sources of
housing support. An adviser working with these clients
faces a peculiar tension between the length of time
immigration issues take to resolve and the immediacy
and urgency of the problems caused or aggravated
by homelessness. While the immigration status remains
insecure, the adviser is often unable to rely on the
conventional channels of support. The existing channels
can be expected to further dry out as a result of cuts
and there is already worrying news about the possible
closure of the few specialist housing projects for the
most vulnerable clients – such as the victims of domestic
violence or trafficked women.
REBUILDING THE LINkShowever, while the immigration status has a lot to do
reBUIlDInG SocIal tIeS: a waY oUt of hoMeleSSneSS for MIGrantS
with the migrants’ homelessness, it is not all that. Some
migrants remain homeless and destitute some time after
having been granted status. It would be more fruitful to
regard it as a symptom of a broader social exclusion of a
migrant – of his or her alienation from the society as much
as the society’s alienation from him. It is a symptom of
the rupture of, or at the very least of a heavy strain on,
the numerous and subtle ties and networks which, in the
normal course of events, do not let a person end up on
the street. A lasting and viable solution to homelessness
of migrants will necessarily include the rebuilding of these
links or creation of the new ones.
In summer, the Red Cross reported a surge of support
and sympathy in response to its report on the destitution
of asylum seekers in Britain (“Not Gone But forgotten”,
June 2010). Praxis, together with other organisations and
individuals who form part of the No Accommodation
network, has been trying to activate the resources of the
community and create support networks and alternative
housing provision for undocumented migrants. We are
working to expand the provision of long-term, short-term
and emergency housing for homeless forced migrants in
london through local hosting projects and emergency
shelters.
To find out more or get involved, please contact Praxis on 0207-729 7985, or email [email protected]
Homelessness is not something that is specific to the situation of undocumented migrants. However, migrants are more prone to succumb to homelessness and its devastating consequences. Tatiana Tomayeva talks about the work of Praxis in supporting this vulnerable group.
![Page 24: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
DYInG or DIGnItY?
The Reconnection team helped Andris into an alcohol
detox centre where he was able to get immediate help
in tackling his addiction to the super-strength drinks that
were killing him. lydia, a relief worker with the team,
visited Andris regularly at the centre to bring him clean
clothes and talk with him in his own language about how
he was doing and about his options for the future.
Andris expressed a desire to return to latvia, but was
worried about finding accommodation and how he
would cope. The Reconnection team was able to
arrange for Andris to return to latvia and link him with
specialist support in his own country. On arrival at Riga
airport Andris and lydia were met by a social worker who
made an assessment based on his needs. Andris was
able to claim social benefit allowance immediately, and,
after a spell in an alcohol rehabilitation centre in Riga, he
moved into his own room in a hostel there.
Without the help and support of the london
Reconnection Team, Andris admits he would probably
be dead now. Instead he is living in his own space and
receiving the support he needs to get his life back on
track.
The vast majority of people that have come to live in
the UK from Central and Eastern Europe have settled
and prospered. however for a small minority, like Andris,
it has been a real struggle. following the expansion of
the European Union, there has been a steady increase in
the number of people from Central and Eastern Europe
The dual strain of sleeping rough on the streets of west London for over six years coupled with an addiction to deadly super-strength drinks almost cost Andris* his life. warned by a doctor that he was likely to die unless he sought treatment for his alcohol problems, Andris faced a crucial decision – stay on the streets and risk dying or seek help. Andris made the decision to get off the street. After being helped by outreach workers in west London, he was referred to Thames Reach’s London Reconnection Project. Ben Hennessy from Thames Reach talks about the work of their Reconnection team.
sleeping rough in the capital. The latest figures indicate
that 26 per cent of london’s rough sleepers originate
from countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Unlike UK
citizens, they are unable to claim benefits unless they
have been working and paying national insurance
contributions for at least a year. This means that our
outreach teams are unable to house them in london’s
hostels – the first port of call for many rough sleepers – as
they cannot claim housing benefit.
Thames Reach’s london Reconnection Team was
founded in early 2009 to help these people living on the
![Page 25: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 25
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
streets in desperate circumstances who didn’t have the
welfare state safety net available for UK citizens. This
team has now helped more than 400 Central and Eastern
Europeans to return home to their families and into the
services which can help them get their lives back on
track.
Many of the people living on the streets have serious
alcohol problems and have taken to drinking the strong,
cheap and dangerous white ciders such as White Ace.
Some individuals have also been drinking alcoholic hand
wash stolen from hospitals with tragic consequences.
Thames Reach staff are aware of at least four deaths
attributed to people drinking the hand wash. We work
closely with services such as Barka UK and alcohol
rehabilitation schemes in Central and Eastern Europe to
help people return home safely and with dignity.
There are many success stories. A lithuanian national
who had been sleeping rough in east london for more
than four years and had an addiction to super-strength
cider was helped off the streets by the Reconnection
Project soon after they launched. After returning home
he received the necessary treatment for his alcohol
problems, was reunited with his family and has now found
work again as a lorry driver.
Thames Reach is also trying to help Central and Eastern
Europeans find work and private accommodation so they
can make a success of their lives in the UK. however,
many are very ill due to their desperate living conditions
and alcohol dependency, and also have poor English
language skills. The result is that in a time when jobs
are difficult to come by – one hospital cleaning job in
london recently attracted 70 applicants – many will find it
impossible to get work.
Ultimately, the aim of the london Reconnection Project is
to prevent the unnecessary deaths of Central and Eastern
Europeans sleeping rough in the capital.
Megan Stewart runs the London Reconnection Project: “Some of the people we’ve helped since the service launched have been found living in the most appalling conditions. If someone wants to return home, we can help them to do so with dignity, ensuring the relevant support is available at all stages of the process.”
![Page 26: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
wIth no proSpectS, a Black eYe anD a plaStIc BaG
CAN YOU DESCRIBE IN BRIEF THE ACTIVITIES OF BARkA Uk?
We reconnect, we
retrain and integrate,
and we replicate. Our primary function when we first
arrived was to engage with Eastern European rough
sleepers, working with them to help them return to their
families or to Barka centres in Poland, trying to engage
with them enough to let us help them. We also run a
Social Economy centre, offering training and support in
maintaining and gaining employment to those who are
ready for the UK jobs market. finally, we want to replicate
our approach within other agencies through special
training programs.
YOU HAVE qUITE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THAT OF AGENCIES wHO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THROUGH ENFORCEMENT.
Enforcement is not an approach we can support.
It focuses solely on a person’s destitution - the most
negative part their existence. Our work has been
successful because it is based on trust, on real human
relationships.
While enforcement might solve the issue locally, it does
nothing for the vulnerable individuals at the centre.
In 2007, concerned by a rise in A8 homelessness, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham asked for help from the Barka Foundation, known throughout Poland for their work with excluded and vulnerable people. Their mission, according to their website (www.barkuk.org) is “to provide severely excluded Eastern European migrants with the opportunity for reconnection and social reintegration.” Ewa Sadowska, Chief Executive of Barka Uk, explains that there is considerably more to it than that.
At the end of enforcement, their lives are still broken. It
lacks subtlety. Instead of enforcement there is a need for
solidarity. We do not even talk about reconnection when
we speak to these people. Who would engage with that?
We talk about rebuilding lives. We talk about home.
SO IN YOUR OwN APPROACH, wHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
It is the most difficult thing to awaken trust in a person
who has suffered degradation and abuse. But it is the
most important part too. It is essential to reach out and
achieve a greater understanding of how that person
has arrived in their current situation. Self motivation is an
important factor in the recovery of any person, but they
are unlikely to experience it if they do not trust the people
who are trying to help them.
SO HOw DO YOU ENGAGE wITH PEOPLE?
Our experience shows most migrants who end up on
the streets are in their forties or fifties. They are, in a way,
limited by the histories and cultures of their countries. Most
of this communist generation cannot speak English; they
don’t understand democracy and free markets; they
do not trust authority. That is the level at which we have
to engage, which is why Barka’s leaders have been so
successful. Our leaders have been homeless or destitute
themselves. They build relationships and trust through
common experience.
![Page 27: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 27
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
AND IF THEY TAkE UP YOUR OFFER OF RECONNECTION, wHAT THEN?
Some return to their families. Others join Barka
communities throughout Poland, where they receive
support with social and physical rehabilitation, but
where they will also be given responsibility to help them
become part of their community. Some might become
Barka leaders, returning to help others. Some build their
own social enterprises. Our communities allow people
who have lost everything to realise their potential. In
these terms, reconnection becomes so much more than
returning them to their home country.
YOUR CHILDHOOD HOME wAS THE FIRST BARkA COMMUNITY. wHAT IMPACT DID THAT HAVE ON YOU PERSONALLY?
My mother and father founded the first Barka community
soon after the fall of communism in 1989. As a family we
shared our lives with a group of twenty people who had
been homeless or destitute or sex workers or incarcerated
or living otherwise intractable lives. It was a cooperative
where everyone worked on the land, helped run shops,
where everyone had a voice.
One man in particular, henryk, had spent twenty-five
years in prison. This big, one-eyed, long haired, tattooed
man could not shake off his prison habits when he joined
us. he sat alone at dinner, with his own cutlery and
crockery. he looked frightening, the sort of man parents
would steer their children away from. But one day my
two year old sister went and sat on his lap, clutching her
doll. he had never had any contact with children. he was
startled. he just sat there, with this little girl, full of trust,
smiling on his lap. he spoke of that moment later as the
beginning for him, the moment he began to integrate
with the community.
Events like that convinced me how important it is not only
to understand the mechanics of human collapse and
degradation, but also the potential of people to turn
themselves around. Growing up in that environment, with
my parents’ strong influence, this has become less of a
job than a vocation.
HOw DO YOU AIM TO REPLICATE THE BARkA APPROACH wITHIN OTHER ORGANISATIONS?
I do not think of it as the “Barka approach” – we are not
so much about a brand. It is simply a way that works and
which we believe could work more widely. We know that
when working with migrant communities, the best place
to train will be in the sending or receiving country – so we
will run these courses within Barka communities in Poland.
The location alone will provide a greater context for those
being trained, not to mention the fact that people we
have helped will be involved in the training.
IF OTHER ORGANISATIONS wERE TO TAkE ON BOARD ONE ASPECT OF YOUR APPROACH, wHAT wOULD YOU wANT THAT TO BE?
We have shown a proactive way of working with
vulnerable people. We do not treat them as clients or
service users. We treat people as partners – equals in
building communities and social enterprises, as well as
rebuilding their lives. The traditional Victorian charity
model is based on noble help providers and passive
help recipients. Such a hierarchy does not help. It is not
dignified. People prefer to be empowered and know that
it is they who provide for themselves and their families,
rather than being provided for.
This philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Most
of our communities in Poland are on former state farms
over which Barka has taken possession. These farms are
in a terrible state when we move in, but we work with the
people who will live in these places, help them rebuild
them, create real community and sustainable homes.
Through this process it is possible to repair even the most
broken lives.
DOES THAT REALLY wORk IN PRACTICE?
Society once considered these people useless, yet the
Barka network consists of almost one hundred legal
entities – foundations, associations, social enterprises, self-
help groups – all run by people who came to us with a
black eye, a plastic bag and no prospects for the future.
When you see the work of Barka leaders, how they talk
with people, sit for hours with them on cardboard in the
streets, how they share their stories with such passion,
when you witness the change in some of the 1,248
people we have helped to go back, it is difficult not to be
inspired. The world needs the kind of message we can
take from their lives: that we can always rebuild.
Ewa presented the story of Barka’s beginnings recently at TEDx Cracow. watch the video on YouTube: http://ow.ly/3hrNdBarka Uk website: http://barkauk.org
![Page 28: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
28 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
workInG the SYSteM: olalloOlallo house opened at the end of December 2008. The
building wasn’t finished and we had no kitchens, but
with a high number of A10 nationals leaving the Crisis
Christmas provision we thought risking ten beds was
worthwhile. We fully opened in May 2009 – providing 32
beds at a central london location with a remit to “retrain
or reconnect” migrant workers who had become rough
sleepers. We decided on a residential service because
basic needs have to be met if people are to have any
chance of finding sustainable employment.
As with most new services we had a view of what we
could do – though not a clear picture. The focus was
always to be short term intervention and focussed support
around the issues that were preventing employment –
basic skills training, missing paperwork and understanding
the British system.
After we opened, a reconnection service was
commissioned for london so our focus became clearly
fixed on employment. We provide in house basic skills
training (certificated CSCS and food hygiene) courses
as well as English classes and daily jobsearch sessions.
We can also help with introductions to approved local
agencies and try to guide people through the “system”
– though this is so poorly administered (particularly issues
around NI numbers) that even experienced staff become
frustrated. It is no wonder so many people ended up
working outside of the system.
We have worked with more than 130 men and women
– and just over half of these have managed to find
work. Moving on from the project can be a problem
since private rented accommodation is the only option
– and that comes at a price. We fear that many will be
tempted to return to squats or illegal sublets – the kind of
Dave Barratt, Development Manager for the Olallo Project, an accommodation based retraining service for CEEs in London, describes the positive impact of their work, but is realistic about the ongoing difficulties of supporting this client group.
environments where maintaining work is very difficult and
a return to the streets more likely.
As a service it has been hugely challenging. The
differences in languages and cultures, the expectations
of individuals and the inequalities faced by our clients
make every intervention different. however, possibly the
biggest challenge is what to do when the desire to work
expressed by our clients greatly exceeds the possibilities
that will be opened up by the skills they have to offer. If
people cannot find work even with intensive assistance
and the offer of reconnection is not taken up, what then?
“there are many government agencies aware of this
problem but not one able to tackle it because there is no recourse to public funding.
people accept there is a real need. these are just
guys who are coming across looking for work, who are
often highly skilled and highly educated but who find that the legislative situation is so difficult they can’t get into
employment.” Dave Barrett, quoted in The Times, 3 April 2009
![Page 29: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 29
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
UR4Jobs at the Upper Room in Hammersmith is a specialist service that supports migrants from the new accession countries of Central & Eastern Europe and those with no recourse to public funds, improving their employability and to act as a one stop shop for information about living and working in the Uk.
The Upper Room is one of the few organisations to
offer such help to Central and Eastern European
Migrants, intervening in the cycle of destitution
and homelessness that is almost inevitable when
clients fail to find work or fall prey to widespread
exploitation.
They provide online information in English, Polish,
Romanian and other languages, on subjects ranging
caSe StUDY: Ur4JoBSfrom employment, training and a wide range of
practical living issues. Crucially, the service offers
support not only for migrants but also for the people
who work with them.
high levels of service user participation and a
welcoming atmosphere have produced a flourishing
project that helps to address and meet the basic
human needs of community and inclusion.
Over 930 people have registered with UR4Jobs since
it opened in November 2006 and the website is
accessed from all over the EU. It has assisted people
into work and training; with health issues and travel
home; with employment law and ID documents;
psychological support in their language of origin and
specialist services for migrant women.
Barka Uk was formed in 2007 after an invitation from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to the Barka Foundation in Poland.
Their reconnections project has now worked in 12
london boroughs, as well as in Slough and Reading.
To date, 1,248 people have returned to Barka
programs in Poland, to their families, or to other
rehabilitation programs across Eastern Europe.
Barka also runs an employment project, designed
“for those who do not need to return, those who
are not yet on the bottom rung of existence but
who could soon be, without timely help.” The
Social Economy Centre, based in City and Tower
hamlets, helps Eastern Europeans gain and maintain
caSe StUDY: Barka Ukemployment. Services on offer include advice
from a job consultant, a psychologist, enterprise
development worker, lawyer, therapist – all working
with Eastern Europeans who are not entrenched,
those who are ready for the UK job market.
The challenge is often in balancing individuals’
needs and immediate potential. “Many people
want to work – that is why they came here,” says Ewa
Sadowska, Chief Executive of Barka UK. “But we often
have to explain to people that they are not ready,
that they will not be able to maintain employment
if they do not first mend themselves – go into detox,
rehabilitation, rebuild their lives back in their home
countries.”
In practIce
![Page 30: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
30 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
JerzY: ‘recYcleD cItIzen’
I came to london for a holiday at first, to visit my son
who was working here. I liked the place and there was
so much work available that I decided to stay, living in a
squat in an industrial area.
Most of the time, I was either drunk or getting ready for
my next drink. I drifted from one day to the next, not
thinking about settling or trying to make things better.
I had occasional moments of sobriety when I realised
that I should just go home. But then I would get drunk
again. I did nothing to stop my degradation.
When I lost my room at the squat, I took to sleeping
rough and became deeply rooted in street life.
That was where I met my son again, who had
been looking for me. It was a short and very
unpleasant meeting.
I visited The Broadway Centre, where I first met the
people from Barka. Some men were wary of them,
saying Barka worked with the authorities, which has
certain connotations for Polish people who remember
Communism. Even so, I felt immediately that I could trust
one of their leaders, Marek. like me, he had experienced
destitution too. That made him credible for me.
Barka took me back to Poland soon after, but it is not
Barka’s style to send someone home and consider the job
finished. I was still drinking and not thinking properly for
myself. It took a while but eventually I realised that I could
only turn my life around if I forget about work, family,
everything else, until I had first mended myself.
On 11th November 2007 I drank my last four beers during a
festival in Poznań. On that day I started my regeneration.
It took some time, but as I got my life together, the
Barka community gradually gave me greater trust and
responsibility. I now run a social enterprise in Poland, a
lakeside recreational settlement. I am also one of Barka’s
leaders – we call ourselves Recycled Citizens, currently
on my sixth cycle in london. like Marek, who helped me,
I work directly with homeless Polish people. Just as I saw
something of myself in Marek, I hope some of these men
see something of themselves in me. I help them to see
how things might be.
On 11th November this year, three years after my last
drink, I attended a memorial service at St Martin-in-the-
fields. They read many names of people who had died
homeless. I am thankful my name never appeared on
such a list.
In another life I should be at the bottom of the Thames right now. Or perhaps I might have found my way back to Poland by myself, but even then I would still be the same drunk Jerzy.
![Page 31: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 31
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
JaroSlaw: learnInG to trUSt
But in October 2009 I lost everything, all in a short space
of time. I lost my job, my family, my home. I became
destitute and, with nowhere to live, found my only escape
in alcohol. I think I only realised later that I had lost so
much more than my home. It was all so desperate. I felt so
shut out that I lost any real hope to live.
I didn’t care where I stayed. I slept rough in different
locations throughout King’s lynn. I would sleep wherever I
found myself. The weather became colder but I could do
little but walk around the town with no aim, no money, no
real wish to live. Then, before Christmas, I was offered the
chance to spend time in a warm environment and to eat
hot food. It did not seem real.
My first visits to the Purfleet Trust Day Centre
coincided with the very cold winter weather.
It was the coldest winter that I remember
since 2004 and, as temperatures dropped
below freezing, the Purfleet Trust opened
a severe weather emergency shelter.
During Christmas and in early 2010 I no
longer needed to sleep rough.
I was still drinking, but I was coming
to the Day Centre every day, so I
made an effort to drink less. I met other
homeless people there and started to
form friendships. The friendly and helpful
staff organised many different activities
including English and IT classes, and life skills
courses to help us become more confident
and proactive.
A lot changed for me. The Purfleet Trust helped me to
obtain a new passport. I was able to register at the
Jobcentre and soon after I was granted Job Seeker’s
Allowance. I moved into a hostel for homeless people
and have now become an active volunteer at Purfleet
Day Centre.
In September 2010 I moved from supported
accommodation to my own place where I really believe
that I can start again. It is a long, cold journey in the world
of homelessness where step by step you must learn to
trust, to live and to feel yourself being a useful part of the
community. It is the Purfleet Trust and all its staff who have
helped me take these steps into a new life.
Like many thousands of others, I arrived in the Uk from Poland in 2004. I had big plans before things went wrong. I was going to settle down, make a life in Britain - and for a long time I was successful. I found work, made a home and enjoyed family life for five years.
![Page 32: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
32 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
DIVerSe MISUSeThe challenges in understanding substance abuse amongst destitute migrants. Esther Sample, Policy Officer at Drugscope, looks at how insecure immigration status combined with the stress of migration and resettlement, means that many new migrants in the Uk are vulnerable not only to homelessness, but also a range of substance misuse problems.
Research has suggested that destitute asylum seekers
are particularly vulnerable to substance misuse. This is
not only due to trauma and mental health problems
developed from past experiences, but also social
isolation, poor health, unemployment and inadequate
housing. The level of alcohol problems amongst homeless
Central and Eastern European migrants has been well
documented, including extreme cases where individuals
have resorted to drinking lethal alcoholic hand wash from
hospitals. Some community services have developed
over recent years, such as Polish AA meetings, the
Eastern European Drug and Alcohol Support Group and
the specialist substance misuse service EACh (see case
study). however, these are rare, and since new migrants
are generally denied access to residential treatment and
other secondary healthcare, many are unaware of any
services available to them.
Even communities that do have recourse to public funds
can have difficultly accessing treatment services. There
is a lack of broadly translated information and outreach
work, and cultural factors such as stigma surrounding
substance misuse also play a negative role. foziha Raja
from EACh explains that in their experience, help seeking
behaviours vary greatly between ethnic community
groups. for example: ‘Asian men who develop alcohol
or drug problems are often settled in the UK and can
access healthcare and community support. In contrast,
for Somali clients, their religious beliefs mean there is a
greater risk of being ostracised from their community...
Tamil clients can also be particularly isolated, and have
little or no access to community support or statutory
services.’
It is time to develop a deeper understanding of how drug
trends can vary greatly between migrant groups – for
instance the use of the currently uncontrolled drug Khat,
commonly used in Somali and Ethiopian communities. This
understanding can only be built through further training
for drug/alcohol and homelessness services on how to
support different ethnic communities around substance
misuse, and increased investment in appropriate and
accessible treatment services.
Drug information in other languages is available from:
http://bit.ly/gAyfqc
caSe StUDY ETHNIC ALCOHOL COUNSELLING IN HOUNSLOw (EACH): 020 8577 6059 EACh is a voluntary sector organisation working
with diverse communities to deliver culturally
sensitive services to individuals and families
affected by drug and alcohol problems,
domestic violence and mental health concerns.
They offer a range of support, including
individual counselling in a number of community
languages and abstinence based programmes.
Their specific focus is on communities that are
traditionally hesitant in seeking such help.
![Page 33: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 33
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
SoMeone to worrY for Me
The people we work with have nothing. They receive
no official help. If they have no case pending or if they
have been released on temporary admission, they have
no access to public funding. They have no right to work.
They receive no support from Social Services. Their lack of
access to public funds, including housing benefits, means
that even homeless shelters will not admit them.
The Ex-Detainee Project is one of three key projects at
DDVG. We support people who have been released from
immigration detention, providing them with short-term
emergency support and long-term integration assistance.
Since January 2010, DDVG has worked with thirteen
homeless ex-detainees, providing them with emergency
accommodation for up to three days in hostels or local
hotels. We also provide food vouchers and refer ex-
detainees to other organisations, such as the British Red
Cross and the Refugee Council, while PRAXIS in london
has also provided invaluable help in finding long-term
solutions.
Dr. Soeren keil, Ex-Detainee Project Manager at the Dover Detainee Visitor Group (DDVG), explains how practical one-to-one assistance, along with personal support, can be the most valued and valuable form of help for homeless ex-detainees.
The most challenging part of the Ex-Detainee Project is
providing personal support for these people. Often, they
are failed asylum seekers or asylum seekers who cannot
be sent back to their countries for any number of reasons,
yet they arrive in the UK only to face discrimination in
various ways.
A key part of my own role is to identify a permanent
solution during the three days of emergency
accommodation. In all thirteen cases we have managed
to find permanent accommodation. We then continue
to offer essential support with travel expenses and
food vouchers, until assistance from the home Office
or from Social Services can be made available. Other
organisations, including the Coventry Peace house and
several religious groups, have also stepped in to offer a
longer term support role.
We are keen to form links and work closely with other
homelessness charities that can help us provide
emergency accommodation and also find medium and
long-term solutions for the people we support.
One person for whom we provided emergency
accommodation and who is now settled permanently in
Birmingham said in a feedback form that “anytime I had
contacted and talked to [DDVG], my bad feelings were
finished as I realised there is someone who thinks about
me, who is really worried for me and who wants to help
me and these points always give me hope.”
The Dover Detainee Visitor Group is a non-campaigning, non-political and independent charity, helping detainees in the Dover Immigration Removal Centre (DIRC), their families and ex-detainees. www.ddvg.org.uk
In June 2010 DDVG organised an Ex-Detainee Conference in Dover, where best practices for ex-detainees were discussed. More than 30 ex-detainees participated.
![Page 34: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
34 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
SolUtIonS that wIll StIck
Charles Fraser, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, describes the multi-agency response to Central and Eastern European migrants under the umbrella of the London Delivery Board alongside the initiatives that his own organisation is undertaking to devise solutions to this issue that will stick.
The phenomenon of Central and East European migrants
is of particular concern because of its scale. The ChAIN
figures show the proportion of rough sleepers in london
who are from the A10 countries as rising inexorably, from
9% in 2005, to double that – 18% in 2009. In 2010 it has
increased again, by nearly half, to 26%. The figures show
greater “churn” amongst this population than amongst
other groups of rough sleepers, with many people moving
on and off the streets quickly.
The main response has been reconnection, which
has worked with some. Another approach is to help
them find work. The UKBA is also pursuing an approach
of “administrative removal”, which can perhaps be
summarised as more assertive reconnection. The
recent launch of Routes home provides helpful advice
to workers wanting to point clients to organisations in
their own countries which can provide continuing help
and support. There has been no appetite amongst
policy makers and funders to support any provision to
emergency housing for this group (which we believe is
possible to do, notwithstanding the “no recourse to public
funds” restriction).
Within St Mungo’s we’re seeking to help them through
developing our own practice, pan-agency work and
educating clients themselves. We have an outreach
programme, for example, specifically tailored to this
group, in that our Southwark and Westminster teams have
dedicated CEE workers embedded in their teams.
We talk to people about their rights and responsibilities
when it comes to immigration and work legislation.
Where individuals are working, we look to support
them into private rented accommodation. We assist
direct reconnections to home areas. We also, however,
recognise that one of the major reasons that CEE
individuals may be resistant to returning home is the
shame felt at having failed in their goal of getting work
and securing their families’ economic future. We are
beginning a group, run by a Polish psychologist, to
explore this barrier to reconnection.
The Delivery Board has catalysed better joint working
on this issue. As an example, we are part of “Operation
Ark”, a multi-agency partnership involving Westminster
Council, the UKBA, the Met Police and Thamesreach,
which has mainly tackled reconnections. We are
all, though, very aware that there remain significant
challenges, not least the changing status of A8s from May
next year when they will have recourse to public funds
and be able to claim benefits. The impending cuts will
sharpen this challenge, but it’s imperative that we are all
able to find ways of rising to it.
![Page 35: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 35
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
ManaGInG people
I don’t blame you for being confused because it’s a
complex area, and one to which there are quite often
some changes so you need to keep your eye on the
relevant websites.
You need to think about these two issues slightly
separately.
Under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act
2006 which came into force in 2008, it is the employer’s
responsibility to check the entitlement to work in the UK
of all prospective employees, and if you find yourself
employing an illegal migrant worker as a result of
negligence, you could be liable for a fine of up to £10,000
per worker. If you do it deliberately you’re looking at an
unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.
To comply with this, and to avoid charges of
discrimination on the grounds of race and nationality,
you need to ask all people to whom you make job offers
to bring in their passport, biometric residence permit or
other suitable evidence of their right to work in the UK
and check the document very carefully and take a copy.
There is a very helpful interactive tool on the Business link
website - businesslink.gov.uk – which takes you through
all the different documents that are valid as evidence
and how to check them.
There is also very clear visual guidance on the Prado
website - consilium.europa.eu/prado - about what to
look for on a passports from any European countries to
check if it’s genuine or not. It really works – we recently
had a Night Worker candidate who brought in a false
Dutch passport arrested on our premises; I raise this by
way of illustrating that the risks are very real in our sector.
Given the ferocity of the penalties, it is essential to spend
the time learning what to look for and running a close
check on every occasion rather than just giving a cursory
glance to documents and taking them at face value.
Since february 2008 a points-based system has been in
place to assess people wanting to come to work in the
UK. If you want to employ someone who does not have
that right, you have to be licensed by the home Office
to be a sponsor, thus enabling you to issue a Certificate
of Sponsorship to a named individual, who must then
apply for permission to enter the UK. Not very easy, by all
accounts.
for everything you need to know about employing
people from overseas, the UK Border Agency website –
ubka.homeoffice.gov.uk - is very comprehensive.
Helen Giles is HR Director of Broadway and Managing Director of Broadway’s Real People HR consultancy www.broadwaysrealpeople.com
Dear Helen,I know that there are heavy financial penalties for employers who take on people who don’t have the right to work here, but I’m not sure if we are doing enough to check new people. I’m further confused by the ‘points-based system’ for employing migrant workers.
Helen Giles, Managing Director of Broadway’s Real People HR Consultancy, now has a regular column in Connect aimed at helping you to make the most of your most important resource – your staff teams. This edition focuses on good practice around employing people from overseas.
![Page 36: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
36 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
FEATURES CONNECT | WINTER 2010
cenSUS 2011: MakInG SUre hoMeleSS people coUntA rich source of statistics, the census affects all of us in one way or another, as decisions about the communities we live in take place all the time, often using census data. Counting homeless people and rough sleepers is an integral part of building an in-depth, population map. Margaret Barrett, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), describes the special measures that have been developed to ensure homeless people and rough sleepers can participate in the census.
held every ten years the census estimates the population
of England and Wales, providing a snapshot of society
on one specific day. Everyone is legally obliged to be
included on a census questionnaire. The 2011 Census
takes place on 27 March 2011.
let’s not beat around the bush, this is a massively
complex task. It’s not easy to count those who sleep
rough or those of no fixed abode who often move from
place to place. Still, it is important that we count as many
people as we can. In 2001 census collectors walked
the streets on census night talking to the homeless and
trying to count as many people as possible. But, following
in-depth research, we’ve decided to amend this way
of working for 2011. As well as counting people living
in hostels for homeless people, this time the census will
count rough sleepers in day centre services.
Census staff dedicated to counting homeless people
will need the co-operation of hostels and day centres
and will give practical assistance to homeless people
with questionnaire completion. Although precise
arrangements will vary in different areas according to
local needs, in general the following will take place:
HOSTELSIn March 2011, special enumerators will arrange delivery
to hostels of a pack of questionnaires for their residents,
plus one A4 sheet for the manager to complete about
the hostel. Special enumerators can be contacted by
hostel managers to
answer queries and
assist as necessary
if any problems are
anticipated. Special enumerators will call round to collect
completed questionnaires after census day.
DAY CENTRESCensus coordinators will be employed from 7 february
2011 to manage field work and they should contact day
centre managers during the following weeks. They will
explain the census and agree arrangements for the local
enumeration at each day centre. Special enumerators
will be guided by local expertise and deliver the
questionnaires and offer assistance as previously agreed.
They will work with day centre staff to achieve a positive
response rate.
We’re doing everything we can to make sure homeless
people have ample opportunity to fill-in their
questionnaires in familiar surroundings with plenty of
help at hand. Taking about 10 minutes to complete, the
questionnaire includes information about where people
are living, health, education and past employment. ONS
is an independent body. We do not share any personal
information with any government departments. Personal
information will be kept confidential and is safeguarded
by law.
For further information visit: www.2011.census.gov.uk
![Page 37: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 37
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
Most UK stakeholders welcome the development of a
housing first approach in the UK, believing that it would
valuably complement existing provision, especially for the
most ‘service resistant’ rough sleepers. Some doubt that
the scale of positive outcomes reported in the US would
be reproduced here, or the cost savings as extreme, but a
willingness to trial housing first and other models offering
different accommodation types and levels of user choice
and conditionality clearly exists.
The study also highlighted the potential for integrating
elements of housing first into existing provision, such as
tailoring multidisciplinary support to individual needs and
relaxing time limits on service eligibility (most notably the
Supporting People two-year limit on stays in temporary
accommodation). There was widespread consensus that
the 2012 target to end rough sleeping represents a key
window of opportunity for innovation in the development
of effective solutions for this highly vulnerable group.
The report, ‘Staircases, Elevators and Cycles of Change: ‘Housing First’ and Other Housing Models for Homeless People with Complex Support Needs’, can
be downloaded for free from the Crisis website: http://bit.ly/f914ff. The study was funded by the Economic
and Social Research Council, and involved a review of
literature and interviews with key stakeholders in the UK,
US, and Australia.
‘hoUSInG fIrSt’: challenGInG the StatUS QUo?Sarah Johnsen, Senior Research Fellow at Heriot-watt University, and Ligia Teixeira, Research and Evaluation Manager at Crisis, share key lessons from an international review of Housing First and other housing models for homeless people with complex support needs.
The ‘housing first’ model departs from orthodox
responses to homelessness because it bypasses hostels
and places rough sleepers with complex needs (such
as moderate-to-severe mental health and/or substance
misuse problems) directly into permanent independent
accommodation with tailored support, without insisting
that they engage in treatment. It was developed
in the United States, but is rapidly being replicated
internationally, particularly in Europe and Australia. The
excellent housing retention outcomes reported in the
US seriously challenge the ‘treatment first’ philosophy,
dominant in most developed countries, which presumes
that time spent in transitional supported accommodation
is necessary to ensure homeless people are ‘housing
ready’ before independent tenancies are allocated.
The review conducted by the University of York and Crisis
revealed that some recent service developments in
the UK exhibit elements of ‘housing first-ness’, but that
these are outnumbered by specialist transitional housing
schemes for this client group. ‘linear’ models which aim
to progress homeless people through separate residential
services continue to predominate in the UK. They are,
however, implemented more flexibly here than in many
other countries, where they have been criticised for
high attrition rates and for failing to take account of the
‘haphazardness’ (non-linearity and unpredictability) of
recovery from addiction and mental health problems.
Staircases, Elevators and Cycles of Change‘Housing First’ and Other Housing Models for Homeless People with Complex Support NeedsSarah Johnsen & Lígia Teixeira
eDItor’S coMMent In times of hardship and uncertainty we need to
be creative in thinking of ways to support those
without recourse to public funds. Share your
thoughts on how the housing first model could
be adapted for Central and Eastern Europeans
and other migrants:
![Page 38: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
CONNECT | WINTER 2010FEATURES
38 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
INSPIRED
Into the DraGonS Den anD oUt wIth the MIchael whIppMan awarD 2010The Sandwich People was set up in February 2008 to provide an opportunity for homeless men and women to gain work skills and confidence in a safe but real work environment. Run by homeless volunteers the social enterprise started by delivering sandwiches to small companies close to The Salvation Army Booth House lifehouse in central Swindon.
We focussed on providing quality, reliability and value for
money. Over time we gained support from our customers
and by working with local colleges we are now able
to offer a wide range of recognised qualifications to
our volunteers. Through the local probation service we
have introduced community payback hours within the
enterprise and also gained a 5 star assessment from the
local environmental health department.
The Sandwich People is a real community business and
more than 150 volunteers have been involved since its
start. Twenty have moved on to paid employment with
many more gaining confidence and self esteem and
moving onto independent living.
The whole team was excited about entering the Michael
Whippman Award and got involved in completing the
application form and planning how to spend the prize
money! On selection for the shortlist, panic set in – who
would be brave enough to enter the dragons den? Dan
was selected and in his words:
“I was quite nervous when I was asked to talk to over
150 people, but I really wanted to meet the challenge
and not let myself or the team down. Before I started
with the Sandwich People, I had no confidence, no self
esteem, no qualifications or work experience. Now I
help with supervising the team each morning, making
sandwiches, prepping salads, stock control, cashing
up the till, cleaning and selling sandwiches to local
businesses. I have certificates and qualifications in health
& Safety, food hygiene, Customer Service NVQ2, Sales,
first Aid, Goals Training and Money Management. I am
more confident in my abilities and I know that I can tackle
challenges. We all have a laugh, working well as a team
together no matter what is thrown at us.
“When we found out we had won the award I shouted,
‘YES!’ I had conquered my fears and it was the first time I
had won anything. I felt like I was on cloud nine! The team
were really excited and we decided to spend the money
on the most important part of the business - the team! A
couple of volunteers were given responsibility to find out
where people would like to go for a team building trip.
On 6th September we all set off for Thorpe Park to
spend the prize money. Not all of us were brave
enough to tackle Stealth or Colossus, but those who did
commented: “I got over my fear of heights with the help
of the team - it was great” and “0-80mph in 2.3 seconds,
who can beat that!” and “It’s great - just
like being on holiday. I wish we could stay
longer” and “10 out of 10.”
Visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/sandwichpeople for more information.
![Page 39: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK 39
CONNECT | WINTER 2010 FEATURES
also exploring new opportunities that these changes will create. We need to harness our knowledge, passion and resilience, that we have shown so often in tackling homelessness, to face the challenges ahead and improve the long-term prospects for our clients. This is your opportunity to help shape the sector for years to come. www.homeless.org.uk/surviving-the-cuts
OUTCOMES STAR One day course for keyworkers who are using the Outcomes Star aiming to enable participants to fully understand the system and implement it effectively in their work. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-outcomes-star
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEwINGTwo day course that explores the underlying techniques and practices of motivational interviewing and its relevance and applicability within a housing and workplace context. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-interviews
qAF One day course to give participants an opportunity to understand the changes contained in the redrafted Quality Assessment framework (QAf) and the chance to map their main areas of practice against the new framework. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-qaf
what’S on?UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS FOR THE HOMELESSNESS SECTOR:
BOOKING DETAIlS
JANUARYEFFECTIVE kEYwORkING AND THE OUTCOMES STARTwo day course which will enable participants to explore and understand the skills involved in keyworking, the boundaries of the work, and how to use and implement the Outcomes Star system in their organisation. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-keyworking-outcomes-star
PROVE IT - MANAGING wRITTEN INFORMATIONOne day course to equip participants with confidence and skills to keep fair and accurate records, respect confidentiality, comply with the Data Protection Act and the Supporting People and other social care standards. http://www.homeless.org.uk/report-writing
FINANCIAL INCLUSION This course will give participants a detailed understanding of financial exclusion and the link to tenancy failure. This understanding will improve the standard of support offered and contribute to successful move-on and resettlement. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-financial-inclusion
MANAGING CONFLICT One day course that provides practical advice and techniques for front line workers who face verbal abuse, threats and aggression from service users.
12-13
18
To book a place on any of the training courses or conferences featured here please call: 020 7960 3030 or email us at: [email protected]
24
26
fEBRUARYUNDERSTANDING TBA half-day workshop to raise awareness of tuberculosis (TB) among workers who come into contact with client groups who may be at a higher risk of developing active TB disease. http://www.homeless.org.uk/understand%20TB
GETTING HOMELESS PEOPLE INTO EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENTThis course explores the unique needs of homeless clients wanting to access education, training and employment. Aimed at staff who recognise the value of education, employment and training to the physical, mental, emotional and financial well being of their clients. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-ete
MOVING INTO MANAGEMENT This training course will help emergent and new managers gain confidence and the skills to fulfil the role of manager. It will focus on the organisational and people’s skills you need to supervise and motivate your team.
8 SURVIVING THE CUTSThis conference will look at the impact of the Spending Review and how the cuts will affect our sector. It will share practical ways to safeguard your service and deliver the required efficiencies, whilst...
3
4
7-8
10
14-15
17
MARChwORkING wITH CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN CLIENTSOne day course providing an overview of the law regarding Central and Eastern European citizens and a look at the challenges faced in meeting their needs. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-central-and-eastern-europeans
PERSONALISATION One day course which seeks to give staff in homelessness organisations an introduction to the personalisation agenda and the opportunity to consider personalisation as an organisational ethos and approach. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-personalisation
HOUSING BENEFITSOne day course focusing on the most problematic areas for housing professionals.
DAY CENTRESOne day course which aims to support managers in considering how their day centre has changed in recent years and how it can become more a place of acceptance, empowerment and change. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-day-centres
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY Two day course which aims to give participants an understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and the skills required to use it effectively. http://www.homeless.org.uk/training-cbt
1
3
10
15
22-23
8
![Page 40: CONNECT 41: MIGRATION - the wrong sort of homelessness](https://reader034.vdocuments.us/reader034/viewer/2022051703/568c4d111a28ab4916a286d7/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
40 WWW.hOMElESS.ORG.UK
COMMENT CONNECT | WINTER 2010
we’ve pulled together a list of resources and research for organisations working with migrants and Central and Eastern Europeans. If you have any information you would like to share with our member organisations, please contact us.
reSoUrceS
hoMeleSS lInk InforMatIon Visit our Central and Eastern European pages for
a range of practical ‘how-to’ guides range of
issues and solutions, including accommodation,
entitlements, reconnection, employment, training
advice and support, and health services.
www.homeless.org.uk/central-eastern-europeans
Information on entitlements for other migrants with
no recourse to public funds.
www.homeless.org.uk/migrants-nrpf
homeless UK - the leading source of information
about advice, support, hostels and supported
accommodation for homeless people and those at
risk of homelessness.
www.homelessuk.org
homeless Pages – find the latest publications and
research on migrant homelessness.
www.homelesspages.org.uk
MIGrant rIGhtS on aDMInIStratIVe reMoVal
fact Sheet prepared by a consortium of
organisations and lawyers working in the field with
advice on working with EU migrants and detailing
why Migrants Rights think the pilot scheme is
unlawful. http://www.migrantsrights.org.uk/publications/briefing-papers/factsheet-and-faq-expulsion-homeless-eea-nationals
thaMeS reach: roUteS hoMe A practical guide for outreach staff and other
professionals involved in reconnecting Central and
Eastern European (CEE) nationals who are rough
sleeping back to their home country. It aims to
increase options for reconnections and to support
staff to make appropriate referrals to services in the
UK and CEE countries.
http://www.thamesreach.org.uk/what-we-do/routes-home/about-routes-home/
hoUSInG rIGhtS weBSIte froM chartereD InStItUte of hoUSInG The housing Rights website aims to provide
accurate information to recent arrivals and to
advisers about entitlements to housing, based on
people’s immigration status.
www.housing-rights.info
BrItISh reD croSS aDVocacY report - not Gone, BUt forGotten
Report highlighting the dire hardships facing
destitute asylum seekers and the urgent need for a
more humane asylum system.
http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/News/2010/June/New-report-calls-for-end-to-asylum-seekers-destitution
www.hoMeleSS.orG.Uk