CIH urges RSLs to do more for refugees

6 Jan 05
Social landlords are being urged to play a greater role in housing asylum seekers and refugees, despite doubts about the future of contracts issued by the National Asylum Support Service.

07 January 2005

Social landlords are being urged to play a greater role in housing asylum seekers and refugees, despite doubts about the future of contracts issued by the National Asylum Support Service.

All but five out of 19 Nass contracts will expire before November. Two private landlords have already had their contracts terminated following a fall in demand for accommodation and Southampton City Council's contract was not renewed last summer.

Housing minister Lord Rooker admitted last month that Nass had 7,500 empty bed spaces across the UK following a 20% fall in the number of asylum seekers housed in 2004.

But a project launched on January 3 by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation is encouraging councils and registered social landlords that have not previously worked with asylum seekers and refugees to become more involved.

Sam Lister, a CIH policy officer, said thousands of asylum seekers do not register with Nass but might still be seeking accommodation or support services, along with those granted refugee status.

'Some housing associations may want to get involved in Nass contracts but don't have the expertise,' he said. 'There's a feeling going around that Nass has too many properties, but they are not necessarily the most appropriate kind.'

Last year Housing Corporation chief executive Jon Rouse urged RSLs to 'pull their weight' and help more asylum seekers or refugees. The CIH and JRF are looking for examples of community-based projects and other good practice, especially from small and medium-sized landlords, for inclusion in a guide that will be published in July.

Thirteen Nass contracts are held by local authorities and five by private landlords. Just two RSLs, which form the Yorkshire-based partnership Safe Haven, have signed up with the service.

A Home Office spokesman said it was too early to speculate whether individual contracts would be renewed. 'Decisions will be taken nearer the time,' he said.

PFjan2005

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