Refugees and Housing

posted: 20/01/2010

Refugees in Manchester can have their say about the housing-related support needs that should be included in the new five year Supporting People strategy for the city of Manchester. There is a consultation meeting in Hulme, Manchester on Tuesday 9 February in the afternoon.

The housing-related support needs that refugees identify will directly affect what services will be provided for the next five years.

Where, when

The consultation with refugees is on Tuesday 9th Feb at 2.30pm and will be held at

The Routes Project, Unit 1 and 2, Cornbrook Enterprise Centre, 70 Quenby Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4HW.
Map and directions here 

You need to book a place and they only have space for 10 people.

Travel expenses and shopping voucher
They will pay travel expenses and give people who attend a £5 ASDA voucher.

As well as this focus group for up to 10 people, the consultant running the meeting can talk to people individually after the group session instead if you prefer.

Booking a place
You need to book a place – there is space for only 10 people
To book a place contact Jen Richardson at The Routes Project
Email or phone Jen on 0161 835 3393.

Manchester Supporting People website 
 

Vouchers Hardship for Asylum "Shocking"

posted: 06/10/2008

The Refugee Council today published a  report into the consequences of a government policy that forces some asylum seekers to live on vouchers while they are in the UK.

Individuals, couples and families with children whose claims have been refused but who are still in the country, either because they are waiting to return home voluntarily or because it is not safe for them to return home, are being given £35 in vouchers per week to support themselves.

In 2000, the government introduced vouchers for people seeking asylum, but was forced to end this policy eighteen months later following widespread condemnation that it was inhumane. Since then, it has in fact continued this policy by stealth, giving vouchers to people who are at the end of the process and only entitled to limited support.

The Refugee Council’s report reveals the devastating impact this policy has had. People living on vouchers are hungry and in poor health. They are forced to walk miles to the nearest supermarket that will accept the vouchers, as they have no cash for public transport. Families are struggling to buy nappies and other provisions for their babies, and some are so desperate they are exchanging £35 in vouchers for £25 in cash.

Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:

“The evidence contained in this report is truly shocking. Vulnerable people, often with babies and very young children, are being forced into severely impoverished circumstances as a result of a policy which this very government recognised as unacceptable seven years ago and abolished.

“These are people who are fully co-operating with the authorities, who are in many cases just waiting to return home as soon as they can, or who are from places like Zimbabwe where it is not safe to return. They have no choice but to remain here for the time being, and are not allowed to work. Forcing them to live like this is disgraceful.

“This situation is both appalling and unsustainable. The government must end this policy immediately, and offer people cash support. But the real solution lies in letting people work while they are here, allowing them to contribute to the communities in which they live and not forcing them to rely on inadequate state handouts.”

The full report is available at www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/s4vouchers.