Report found that destitution is a real but largely hidden problem among those who are denied access to public welfare under Section 55 or because their asylum claim has been rejected. The following extracts are taken from interviews with destitute asylum seekers in Leeds : “Depending on the weather conditions we just find something to see us through the next morning… Just walk by sometimes and just find a corner to just sleep in. There is no way I can find money. In this country I’m not allowed to beg and I’m not allowed to work so I don’t even have accommodation to live in. "
Report found that destitution is a real but largely hidden problem among those who are denied access to public welfare under Section 55 or because their asylum claim has been rejected. The following extracts are taken from interviews with destitute asylum seekers in Leeds : “Depending on the weather conditions we just find something to see us through the next morning… Just walk by sometimes and just find a corner to just sleep in. There is no way I can find money. In this country I’m not allowed to beg and I’m not allowed to work so I don’t even have accommodation to live in. "
National research commissioned by Refuge Action in January 2006 to explore the causes and effects of destitution among refused asylum seekers in the UK. The disturbing findings raise urgent questions about whether current government policy is sustainable. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the future of the asylum system
National research commissioned by Refuge Action in January 2006 to explore the causes and effects of destitution among refused asylum seekers in the UK. The disturbing findings raise urgent questions about whether current government policy is sustainable. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the future of the asylum system
University of Leeds. School of Sociology and Social Policy
Publication year:
2005
Pagination:
20p.
Place of publication:
Leeds
... the adequacy of welfare provisions in relation to the financial and housing needs of four different groups of forced migrants i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian protection status and failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’. There is strong evidence to suggest that statutory provisions are failing to meet the basic financial and housing needs of many forced migrants.
As the number of forced migrants entering Britain has risen, increasingly restrictive immigration and asylum policy has been introduced. Simultaneously, successive governments have sought to limit the welfare entitlements of forced migrants. Drawing on two sets of semi-structured qualitative interviews, with migrants and key respondents providing welfare services, this paper considers the adequacy of welfare provisions in relation to the financial and housing needs of four different groups of forced migrants i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian protection status and failed asylum seekers/‘overstayers’. There is strong evidence to suggest that statutory provisions are failing to meet the basic financial and housing needs of many forced migrants.
The EU has an essential role to play in improving protection for refugees and finding effective long-term solutions to the complex challenges faced by its member states. ECRE's Way Forward series puts forward positive recommendations for this. Europe's role in the global refugee protection system. The Way Forward: An Agenda for Change lays down a challenge and invitation to all involved in political decision-making to take a new approach to refugees and asylum.
The EU has an essential role to play in improving protection for refugees and finding effective long-term solutions to the complex challenges faced by its member states. ECRE's Way Forward series puts forward positive recommendations for this. Europe's role in the global refugee protection system. The Way Forward: An Agenda for Change lays down a challenge and invitation to all involved in political decision-making to take a new approach to refugees and asylum.
International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 13(4), 2017, pp.403-418.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe an intervention with a group of homeless men from the Horn of Africa, service users of the Horn of Africa Health and Wellbeing Project in London. The group was conceived by the second author who noted the presence of significant psychosocial issues for her clients, but equally their reluctance to access mainstream mental health or social care services.
Design/methodology/approach: Designing the group and introducing it to the men involved threw up some challenges which are explored, and the impact of the group on participants is evaluated.
Findings: Overall both the participants and the facilitators evaluated the group positively and it appeared to have led to lasting change for some of the group members, and this is described. The authors argue that this sort of group may be a more acceptable way to work on psychosocial issues than something more directly focused on mental health intervention. The group protocol is outlined along with suggestions for future work in this area.
Originality/value: This intervention represents a creative alternative to more mainstream psychological interventions for homeless or exiled men.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe an intervention with a group of homeless men from the Horn of Africa, service users of the Horn of Africa Health and Wellbeing Project in London. The group was conceived by the second author who noted the presence of significant psychosocial issues for her clients, but equally their reluctance to access mainstream mental health or social care services.
Design/methodology/approach: Designing the group and introducing it to the men involved threw up some challenges which are explored, and the impact of the group on participants is evaluated.
Findings: Overall both the participants and the facilitators evaluated the group positively and it appeared to have led to lasting change for some of the group members, and this is described. The authors argue that this sort of group may be a more acceptable way to work on psychosocial issues than something more directly focused on mental health intervention. The group protocol is outlined along with suggestions for future work in this area.
Originality/value: This intervention represents a creative alternative to more mainstream psychological interventions for homeless or exiled men.
(Publisher abstract)
Children and Youth Services Review, 74, 2017, pp.1-7.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds make up an important proportion of the youth population in Australia and are a diverse group with varying needs and circumstances. For young people of refugee background accessing safe, affordable and appropriate housing in their new country is one of the biggest challenges they will face and is central to social inclusion and to a young person's ability to settle successfully in a country. Drawing on data from the first longitudinal study to document the experience of homelessness by refugee young people, this article examines young people's personal narratives of homelessness in their new country. The article uses the concept of ‘liminality’ to explore their journeys as they looked for safe and secure housing in Melbourne, Australia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds make up an important proportion of the youth population in Australia and are a diverse group with varying needs and circumstances. For young people of refugee background accessing safe, affordable and appropriate housing in their new country is one of the biggest challenges they will face and is central to social inclusion and to a young person's ability to settle successfully in a country. Drawing on data from the first longitudinal study to document the experience of homelessness by refugee young people, this article examines young people's personal narratives of homelessness in their new country. The article uses the concept of ‘liminality’ to explore their journeys as they looked for safe and secure housing in Melbourne, Australia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
black and minority ethnic people, homelessness, housing, social exclusion, immigrants, refugees, young people;
Professional Social Work, September 2016, pp.24-25.
Publisher:
British Association of Social Workers
Fourteen years ago, Sokol Hoxha was a homeless 13 year old unaccompanied asylum seeker on the streets of London. Today he is a university graduate with a career and big ambitions. Byt he says not of it would have been possible with out the support of key individuals including his social worker, Kirpal Kaur. The pair tell the author their story.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Fourteen years ago, Sokol Hoxha was a homeless 13 year old unaccompanied asylum seeker on the streets of London. Today he is a university graduate with a career and big ambitions. Byt he says not of it would have been possible with out the support of key individuals including his social worker, Kirpal Kaur. The pair tell the author their story.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
homelessness, refugees, educational performance, social workers, professionals, social work;
... intimidation. Asylum seekers and refugees experience, in addition, their own particular problems. The report looks at the law in relation to homeless non-UK nationals living in Northern Ireland and considers the policy, practice and responses of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Health and Social Care Trusts and the Social Security Agency. No Home from Home is aimed at raising awareness
No Home from Home is a response to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s concerns about the vulnerability of certain categories of non-UK nationals to destitution. The report examines some of the problems that can arise in the face of the social, cultural and financial challenges associated with moving to a new country: domestic violence, ill-health, disability, exploitation and racial intimidation. Asylum seekers and refugees experience, in addition, their own particular problems. The report looks at the law in relation to homeless non-UK nationals living in Northern Ireland and considers the policy, practice and responses of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Health and Social Care Trusts and the Social Security Agency. No Home from Home is aimed at raising awareness of the complex issues facing some non-UK nationals and the gaps in terms of available assistance for those who become homeless and are excluded from statutory support. The researchers conclude that ultimately the barriers exist because of the way in which UK legislation is currently designed. Many of the recommendations are therefore aimed at the Government, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Executive. Although it is acknowledged that homelessness and destitution are not the sole remit of any one agency; they each have a role to play in ensuring that all avenues of support are explored.
Subject terms:
immigrants, homelessness, law, refugees, access to services, asylum seekers, government policy;
International Journal of Social Welfare, 16(Supplement 1), July 2007, pp.S219-S232.
Publisher:
Wiley
The homeless and those living in a country illegally are often excluded from welfare society. This paper reviews homeless trends in Sweden throughout the 1990s and their relationship to the structural changes which have taken place, with particular focus on the housing market and the systems of measures in place. The paper concludes with an account of the social and financial circumstances of undocumented immigrants as well as a statement of their basic rights.
The homeless and those living in a country illegally are often excluded from welfare society. This paper reviews homeless trends in Sweden throughout the 1990s and their relationship to the structural changes which have taken place, with particular focus on the housing market and the systems of measures in place. The paper concludes with an account of the social and financial circumstances of undocumented immigrants as well as a statement of their basic rights.