Migrants

Asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants can be especially vulnerable to homelessness. They may lack support networks, have limited knowledge of the British system and language, and their entitlements to support can be confusing. There is a lot of support and guidance available for this client group, details of which can be found below.

ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES

Most asylum seekers are accommodated in the UK by the Home Office while their claims for asylum are processed. Refugees are generally eligible for social housing and benefits on the same basis as UK nationals. For more information visit our Asylum Seekers and Refugees page.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEANS

In 2007, The European Union (EU) was expanded to include Romania and Bulgaria. People from these countries are known as A2 nationals. They require a work permit in order to commence employment in the UK. The majority of migrants from Romania and Bulgaria successfully obtain employment and accommodation in the UK. However, restrictions on entitlements mean that options are very limited for the significant minority who find themselves homeless. In November 2011 it was agreed that these restrictions would be extended until 2013.

Nationals from the Accession 8 (A8) countries (Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic) refers to those who joined the EU in 2004. These nationals had certain limitations were placed on the entitlements. However from 1 May 2011 these transitional arrangements ended.

For further information on the entitlements of both the A2 and A8 nationals see our Central and Eastern Europeans page.

OTHER MIGRANTS

For information on working with other migrants and those with no recourse to public funds, click here.

Destitution

Any of the migrants above can become destitute without the proper advice, support and guidance. The legal definition of destitution is as follows: