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Frontline Network Supports Migrant Network Campaign: No evictions into homelessness from asylum accommodation

Frontline Network Supports Migrant Network Campaign: No evictions into homelessness from asylum accommodation

Frontline Network Supports Migrant Network Campaign: No evictions into homelessness from asylum accommodation

Monday, October 19, 2020

The Frontline Network is pleased to support Migrants' Rights Network call for a reversal to the decision to evict people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) into homelessness.

Earlier this month, the Migrants’ Rights Network, NACCOM, and Asylum Matters, wrote to the Prime Minister calling for a reversal to the decision to evict people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) into homelessness. Evicting people into homelessness is always wrong, but it is especially devastating now as the UK returns to COVID-19 Alert level 4.

From 15th September, the Home Office ruled that any negative asylum decision triggers a 21-day eviction notice. Previously, evictions from asylum accommodation had been suspended for people with both positive and negative decisions since the 23rd March 2020.

The MRN's letter, which you can read here, makes the strong case for a protection of people who are at great risk of street homelessness once they exit accommodation. The letter asks Government to:

  • Immediately halt the evictions of people who have been refused asylum.

  • Place a fully funded duty on Local Authorities to accommodate people with NRPF conditions.

In the Frontline Worker Survey 2019, frontline workers described how similar the supports needs of migrants are to other individuals experiencing homelessness. However, their immigration status often excludes them from many vital support services.

Not having access to public funds can result in not being able to cover housing costs, or access critical health or social care services. Frontline workers told us these restrictions are significant precursors to experiencing sustained periods of homelessness for migrants.

Indeed, the Migrants’ Rights Network have stated that thousands of people seeking asylum who now face eviction typically have no source of alternative income or savings. Once experiencing homelessness as a result of NRPF conditions, they will rely on charities or local people in the communities for support.

Charities supporting people who are experiencing homelessness have had to radically rethink how they provide safe accommodation, and local conditions mean that accommodation providers have significantly less capacity and serious concerns about their ability to support those most in need.

We support the requests made within this letter, and will keep frontline workers updated on the Government’s response to their request to suspend evictions triggered by negative asylum decisions, especially now the UK has returned to COVID-19 Alert level 4.

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