Between NASS and a Hard Place

Between NASS and a hard place: Refugee housing and community development in Yorkshire and Humberside: A feasibility study Author: Carter, Mary, El-Hassan, A. Azim Author Organisation: Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (HACT) Date: 2003 Summary Aims To explore the impact on refugee housing and community development of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; to draw national lessons by examining the experience of one specific dispersal region, Yorkshire and Humberside; to make a constructive contribution towards integration which keeps the needs of asylum seekers and refugees at its heart and highlights good practice to lead future efforts. Methodology The report brings together the findings of a feasibility study commissioned by Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (hact). Field work involved face-to-face and telephone interviews with various agencies including refugee community groups, housing providers, statutory bodies, other relevant agencies; in-depth one-to-one semi structured interviews with 44 refugees and asylum seekers; field notes from participating community research workers; focus group discussions with 22 refugees and asylum seekers to validate the research findings. Training was provided for 12 community researchers recruited to help identify and carry out interviews. Key Findings The picture of settlement and integration within the context of dispersal is a confusion of responsibilities and overlapping policies and the needs of asylum seekers have yet to be fully integrated within local planning and delivery mechanisms for mainstream services. There is a fundamental lack of joining up of central government initiatives; dispersal coincided with many other programmes and was also affected by the building of a deterrent factor into the provision of support. Furthermore, the failure to ensure that asylum seekers and refugees are included in the broader neighbourhood renewal schemes and regeneration agendas means that asylum seekers are isolated from the mainstream at the time of receiving a positive decision. In addition the 28-day transition period to find and move into long term accommodation is too short. The areas in which asylum seekers are placed may also be places where they face racism and discrimination; they need to feel safe in both their temporary and permanent homes. The role of community development, in direct provision of services and support, as well as the identification, planning and delivery of local statutory, voluntary and community services, has also been belatedly recognised but lacks the resources needed to support the commitment and skills of community workers activists and volunteers. Recommendations Greater coordination and improve effectiveness for all the agencies involved, including the Home Office, NASS, the Office for the deputy Prime Minister, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Benefits Agency and local authority housing and benefit sections An increase in [or at least adherence to] the 28-day transition period available to refugees to leave their NASS accommodation and find alternative support and housing A range of measures to be taken on advice, information and training by all parties Greater recognition of, and support for, the role and development of RCOs Measures to improve the safety and inclusion of refugees Settlement planning and policy that recognises the different stages of refugee housing need - including the vital involvement of refugees, asylum seekers and refugee community organisations at all levels of decision -making Title Information: ISBN 0 954373 0 0