Housing People with No Recourse to Public Funds Who are we talking about?  ‘Failed’ Asylum Seekers  Overstayers  Illegal Immigrants  EU migrants who have not been working long enough to qualify  Spouses of those with valid visas  Those on visas that stipulate NRPF.

Housing People with No Recourse to Public Funds What does it mean in Practice?  No right to any benefits  No right to accommodation that relies on HB  Unless a EU National or in possession of a work permit, no right to work

 Started 2005 with 3 projects  Now 29 Projects across 22 towns and cities  All accommodating people with NRPF – nearly all refused asylum seekers  Steering Group of 9 meets 2-3 times a year  National Conference + 4 regional focus meetings  £11k funding from Homelessness Transition Fund

Aims and Objectives  To provide accommodation in every town and city where there are destitute migrants  To share resources and good practice  To encourage member groups  To help new projects set up  To be a voice for the destitute

Meeting Local Needs  Local Needs need local solutions  Local authorities, statutory bodies and NGOs vary a great deal  Housing prices and availability vary  Some existing projects can take on destitution: in other places a new project is required

Scheme 1: Permanent Night Shelter  One Church Building, 8pm – 8am  For up to 15 men  Volunteer – led: 25 volunteers  Originally winter only, now year round  Evening Meal, Breakfast & packed lunch provided  Funded through destitution fund

Scheme 2: Temporary Night Shelter  7 venues x 1 night, 9 pm – 8.30 am  Evening meal and breakfast  Up to 12 men  1 st November – 30 th April  Transport required  Co-ordinated by Boaz male caseworker  Clients can access Boaz facilities inc. solicitor  Funded through British Red Cross

Scheme 3: Hosting  Spare rooms offered  Short / long-term  Host sets parameters  Paid or volunteer co-ordinator  Guest support varies: financial / practical / legal  Spare capacity important  Host support important

Scheme 4: Empty Vicarages  Requires diocesan support  DBF or Glebe properties?  Often large properties: upkeep can be expensive  Potential to house large numbers  Short-term or long-term?  Destitute a.s or refugees?  Also Catholic presbyteries

Scheme 5: Mixed Housing Scheme  Houses rented from private landlords  Some loaned for free  Accommodation for refugees  Income from HB / rents pays for space for destitute  2-3 refugees will pay for one destitute a.s  Sustainable – especially if exempt from LHA  Others use refugee houses to fund destitute houses – working with Green Pastures Housing

Scheme 6: Housing Association Partnership  Empty HA properties in regeneration areas  Tenants moved out in advance  May be empty for years before demolition  Often in very good condition  Leases often short-term, but usually renewed  Huge Potential

Scheme 7: Special Partnerships  Particular Groups – vulnerable women / women and children / trafficked women / People who are HIV+ / hospital discharges  Offering a cheaper solution  Funded by NHS / Social Services / AIDS charity / Local Authority

Scheme 8: Loaned Houses  Houses either loaned by people who no longer need them, or supporters who buy them for use  No rent to pay: main costs are utilities and upkeep  Annual licence agreements  Owner responsible for major works, Boaz for daily maintenance

Other Possibilities  Caravans  Student accommodation during the summer  Religious orders (Catholic Worker Houses)  Industrial premises  Old buses  For more information go to