Leaders of three political parties have been urged to address the ongoing migrant homelessness challenge, by way of a letter from more than 100 homelessness and migrant rights organisations.
The letter, signed by 119 organisations, was sent to the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties urging them to address migrant homelessness and make sure that the asylum and immigration system doesn’t push people into homelessness and destitution. This comes as many migrants are being forced into vulnerability thanks to homelessness or the barriers that they face when trying to move on from homelessness.
Referenced in the letter is last year’s government decision to change the eviction process for new refugees that are leaving asylum accommodation. This led to a 956% increase in the number of people sleeping rough over the course of six months, with Home Office support being withdrawn. Alongside the challenges faced by those who are sleeping rough, this also placed huge pressure on local authorities, with their support being required by migrants who have been evicted from Home Office accommodation.
By sending the letter to the party leaders, organisations have outlined how the next government can “deliver both the immediate and long-term changes needed to ensure the asylum and immigration system no longer drive migrants into homelessness.”
These changes include a number of measures, including the embedding of a cross-departmental approach to tackling homelessness, as well as making changes to the immigration system to ensure that it doesn’t actively contribute to migrant homelessness increases. The letter has also called on the next government to stem the flow of homelessness from the asylum system, whilst also improving legal advice access and addressing the impact of public fund restrictions due to someone’s immigration status.
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