Agenda item

Homeless Link Immigration Pledge Appeal

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services on the Homeless Link Immigration Pledge Appeal and the following points were made:

 

  • Homeless Link was a national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England which aimed to improve service provision and campaign for policy change to help end homelessness.  Homeless Link had launched a campaign in opposition to Home Office changes to the Immigration Act in October 2020 and the subsequent code of guidance for which it was seeking support of the voluntary sector, local authorities and public sector bodies.   The Homeless Link Immigration Pledge had been widely adopted by the voluntary sector.  Four local authorities comprising the London Boroughs of Islington, Haringey, Lewisham and Southwark, as well as the Greater London Authority, had also voiced their support for the pledge and their intention not to use the Rough Sleeping Support Service referral mechanism.

 

  • The Committee was asked to consider if it supported Homeless Link’s statement and policy position and the following points were made:

 

  • A number of the City of London Corporation’s key partners and providers had signed Homeless Link’s Pledge including Thames Reach and St Mungo’s. 

 

  • Whilst there were no legal ramifications to signing Homeless Link’s Pledge, this could be seen as a political act which could have consequences for the City of London Corporation’s future interactions with the Government, such as funding applications.  Direct lobbying via established channels and with partners such as London Councils offered a valid alternative by which the City of London Corporation could influence future policy direction.

 

  • Signing Homeless Link’s Pledge would preclude the City of London Corporation from referring individuals to the Home Office on a case-by-case basis when appropriate.  Should the City of London Corporation decide not to sign the Pledge, it could choose not to make a referral for individual cases.

 

  • The changes to the Immigration Act would only affect a very small number of individuals; however, the City of London Corporation had worked hard to build trust with this vulnerable client group.  Use of the Rough Sleeping Support Service referral mechanism could impact the positive relationships that the City of London Corporation had built with vulnerable individuals which were crucial in encouraging them to engage with services.

 

  • Regardless of the issues raised within the Pledge, the City of London Corporation worked to meet the individual needs of all people who were homeless or rough sleeping in the City of London, irrespective of their immigration status.

 

In summation, the Chairman noted that whilst expressing some reservations, the majority of Committee Members had voiced full or partial support for the Homeless Link’s statement and policy position.  This included the Chair and Deputy Chairman of the Community and Children’s Service Committee who fully supported and endorsed the pledge.  The Homeless Link Immigration Pledge Appeal would be referred to the Community and Children’s Services Committee and, subject to its approval, thereafter to the Policy and Resources Committee for further consideration.

 

RESOLVED, that the Homeless Link Immigration Pledge Appeal be referred to the Community and Children’s Services Committee and, subject to its approval, thereafter to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.  

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