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Ending Migrant Homelessness For Good - Conference Resources

Ending Migrant Homelessness For Good - Conference Resources

Ending Migrant Homelessness For Good - Conference Resources

Monday, February 27, 2023

On 16th November, almost 150 people came together for the Praxis Pan-London Migrant Frontline Network’s conference on migrant homelessness.

These resources were originally shared on Praxis' website.

Coming just two months after the Government launched its new cross-departmental strategy for ending rough sleeping for good, our conference took as its starting point the question of how homelessness can truly be ended for all, for good.

Together with expert speakers and panellists from across London, we explored this question, examining how Home Office policies drive homelessness amongst migrant communities, sharing learning and good practice from recent years and promoting a new London subregional immigration advice service for rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness.

Here you can find recordings from the sessions:

 

  • Welcome and Opening Plenary

    This session will set the scene around the current environment for homeless migrants, the new Rough Sleeping Strategy, the role of Local Authorities in addressing Migrant Homelessness within this new strategy and recommendations from the Kerslake Report.

    Chair: Sally Daghlian OBE, CEO, Praxis

    • Jakob Dowse, Team Leader, Non-UK Nationals, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Directorate, DLUHC

    • Michelle Binfield, Programme Director, London Councils

    • Fiona Colley, Director of Social Change, Homeless Link

     

  • Afternoon Plenary: What’s going on? Developments in Addressing Migrant Homelessness

    The aim of this session is to examine initiatives designed to address migrant homelessness, including projects funded by the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI), the Home Office Homelessness Team and escalation routes for migrant rough sleepers, the new Suv-Regional teams funded by the RSI, as well as local solutions. 

    Chair: Maria Iglesias, Head of Operations, Praxis

    • Jon Kuhrt, Specialist Rough Sleeping Adviser (Community & Faith Groups), DLUHC

    • Claire Portlock, Assistant Director, Homelessness Team Lead, Home Office.

    • Lidia Estevez Picon, Rough Sleeping Migration Manager, GLA

    • Gill Taylor, Assistant Director for Community and Housing Support, London Borough of Haringey

     

  • Migrant Youth Homelessness

    The aim of this session is to highlight the intersection of youth homelessness and migrant homelessness, the additional challenges that immigration status causes, and some of the solutions. In particular, the example of the London Youth Gateway will be explored.

    Chair: Joe Roberts, STAR and London Youth Gateway Coordinator, Praxis

    • Phil Kerry, Chief Executive, New Horizon Youth Centre

    • Christian MacNamara, Senior Project and Policy Officer (Rough Sleeping, GLA)

    • Members of Brighter Futures (Praxis)

     

  • Local Solutions to Migrant Homelessness

    passcode: s$&A$8iq

    This session will focus on innovative and proactive ways that local authorities can address migrant homelessness, using recent research published by Homeless Link and NACCOM, entitled “Unlocking the Door” to open discussion. 

    Chair: Sophie Boobis, Head of Policy and Research, Homeless Link

    • Derek Bernardi, Solicitor-Advocate, Law Stop

    • Jennie Corbett, Strategy Principal for Asylum and Migration, Greater Manchester Combined Authority 

     

  • Upcoming Challenges in Homelessness Provision & impact on Migrant homelessness

    This session will explore key challenges to local homelessness provision, including the impact of the Ukrainian visa schemes and changes to regulations on local connection.

    Chair: Bethan Lant, Training, Development and Advocacy Manager, Praxis

    • Eva Barnsley, Policy Officer, London Councils

    • Adis Sehic, Policy and Research Officer, Work Rights Centre 

     

  • NASS accommodation- asylum accommodation and hotels- problems and solutions

    passcode: GP@ZJR8J

    The aim of this session is to address some of the key issues in accessing asylum support accommodation, including:

    - Issues with applications, including delays and evidence;

    - Problems with provision, such as lack of support for those with low to medium support needs, and frequent relocation. The session will also explore potential solutions. 

    Chair: Lidia Estevez Picon, Rough Sleeping Migration Manager, GLA

    • Steph Ratcliffe, Head of Migrant and Advice Services, St Mungos

    • Stefania Raschia, Service Manager – Refugee Support, British Red Cross

    • Members of Brighter Futures (Praxis)

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