Council warns of rough sleeping ‘disaster’ as asylum evictions start up after Christmas pause

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A council has warned of a New Year surge in refugees sleeping rough as the Home Office’s Christmas pause on evictions from asylum accommodation ends.

Southwark council has called on the Government to immediately double the notice refugees are given before they have to move out of Home Office accommodation, in order to avoid what it described as a potential rough sleeping “disaster”.

Southwark council is demanding the Government extend the notice refugees are given before they have to move on to 56 days, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Southwark councillor Jasmine Ali, cabinet member for refugees, and councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes, outlined their concerns and demands in a letter to housing secretary Michael Gove dated December 21.

They write: “London Councils has reported that 846 homelessness presentations were made in October from refugees and asylum seekers evicted from Home Office accommodation – a 39 per cent increase on September’s figure.

“They found that 112 people were sleeping rough – many of [whom] will have just recently received their recognition of needing refuge from war or persecution.

“The decision not to evict from Home Office accommodation over the Christmas period is right, but we are deeply concerned about the consequences of an unmanageable surge in January.”

Other measures the councillors say are urgently needed to prevent a rough sleeping disaster include increasing the homelessness prevention grant and discretionary housing payments, as well as increasing funding for rough sleeping initiatives.

Southwark has the second highest number of people seeking asylum in London and the second highest rate of rough sleeping in South London after Lambeth.

Cllr Jasmine Ali said: “If a policy is directly responsible for people ending up on the streets then it is not working and it has to change. It is our duty to offer refuge and safety for those fleeing war zones. If the Home Office recognises asylum then it has to be meaningful to those who are granted the right to remain here.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Support for refugees is available through Migrant Help and their partners, which includes advice on how to access Universal Credit, the labour market and where to get assistance with housing. We are also working with local authorities to manage the impact of asylum decisions as the legacy backlog reduces.

“We are determined to end rough sleeping for good and are working with the homelessness sector to make sure people have a roof over their head and the support to rebuild their lives. That’s why we have given councils £2billion to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including £13million for Southwark council through the homelessness prevention grant.”

(Picture: PA)