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Today, the Everyone Home collective, a coalition of organisations working to end homelessness which we are part of, are starting to consult on a route map designed to permanently end rough sleeping and destitution in Scotland as the country emerges from the pandemic.
Today’s route map focuses on the Home Office’s No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy. NRPF forces people in the asylum system into destitution, particularly those who have been refused and are appealing their decision. There is currently no framework in place to protect this vulnerable group. For Scotland to eradicate rough sleeping, everybody, no matter their immigration status, must be protected from street homelessness.
Destitution is preventable. This prevention process must begin the moment people are dispersed to Scotland, not at the point that they are made destitute. People need access to support and information on their rights so that they can explore all avenues out of destitution and street homelessness, before it even happens to them.
Scottish Refugee Council have been working this year on a Humanitarian Project with legal practitioners, accommodation providers and third sector partners, which seeks to protect people at risk of eviction into street homelessness. But there are limited routes out of destitution for people in this situation, and limited support available. It is a deeply isolating experience for people at an already difficult time. Positive change to policy and proper support is urgently needed.
There are thousands of destitute people in Scotland, many of whom are in Glasgow, as a direct result of UK government policy. This group of people with lived experience must be consulted and involved in the planning and implementation of this routemap, in order for it to work effectively for those who need it most.
Chief executive of Scottish Refugee Council, Sabir Zazai, said:
“People in the asylum system are forced into destitution due to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy, a deliberate decision by the Home Office. Today’s route map provides a clear solution to prevent destitution. It is essential that the issues facing people with NRPF are part of mainstream housing policy. Everybody in Scotland, no matter their immigration status, must be protected from street homelessness and have access to a safe place to stay. Scotland has a proud history of welcoming and supporting people. This route map is an important step in working towards an even better future for people seeking safety in this country.”
Maggie Brünjes, Chief Executive of Homeless Network Scotland, said:
“It doesn’t have to be that way. The response earlier in the year demonstrated that ‘destitution by design’ is unnecessary and there is now lower tolerance for, and higher ambition to end, this situation in Scotland. This is the time to act and put in place measures that will make sure no one experiences destitution in Scotland as emergency measures are lifted.”
You can read the full route map here.
