Industry News


Councils call for more time for people moving on from asylum accommodation


A


‘snapshot’ survey by the Local Government Association has revealed that councils are calling for the extension of the ‘move-on’


period, the time between an asylum seeker receiving a decision on their application and having to leave Home Office funded accommodation, to ease the financial impact on Local Authorities. Te ending of accommodation and support from


central government when an asylum seeker receives a decision on their application has impacted nine in 10 councils financially and added to staff pressures in England, Wales and Scotland, according to a snap-shot survey by the LGA. Nearly 90% of council respondents to the


LGA survey also said that the ending of central government support following ‘move-on’ periods had contributed to a rise in homelessness presentations to their local authority, and around three-fiſths of councils said it led to increased street homelessness. Te survey looked at the period between August


2023 and March 2024 when, as the Home Office has sought to expedite applications from certain countries and clear the backlog of people claiming asylum, councils faced added pressure as more people entered the ‘move-on’ period. Te time between an asylum applicant receiving


a decision and having to leave the Home Office accommodation they were staying in while awaiting their outcome is called the ‘move-on’ period. Central government’s support and


accommodation ceases at the end of this, and councils have to step in to fulfil their statutory


“We need greater recognition from central government of the crucial role councils play in supporting effective move


on processes.” Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the LGA


duties by supporting adults and families to find or by directly provide accommodation and working with other local partners to help them access benefits or find employment. When asked about the most effective way to


reduce costs and impacts of the Home Office backlog clearance programme, an “extension to the 28-day move-on timeframe to 56 days in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act” was the answer most given, with 84 % of responding councils highlighting this step. Funding to provide immediate move-on support


once people have received a decision, funding for move-on accommodation – such as the first month’s rent for people finding their own place to live, and funding for early intervention while people await a decision, were identified as the second, third, and fourth most effective options respectively to mitigate the situation. Of the councils who responded* about


costs which are directly attributable to asylum accommodation, nearly three quarters of councils (72%) said that the current asylum dispersal grant only covers their asylum costs to a small extent or does not cover it at all. Te LGA, which represents councils across


England, is calling on the Government to use the survey findings to inform the next asylum backlog clearance programme as announced by the Home Secretary in July. Councils also want to work with government


to develop a more place-based asylum system that supports newly recognised refugees to move on from asylum accommodation in a way that unlocks their potential to contribute to the local economy and their new communities, and minimises homelessness and destitution. Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the LGA, said: “Te


approach of withdrawing support so abruptly as part of the current move-on period adds pressure onto already stretched council budgets and services. We need greater recognition from central government of the crucial role councils play in supporting effective move on processes. “Councils are the experts in their communities


and know what steps can be taken to minimise the impact on asylum seekers, local people, and council resources. Increasing the move-on time to 56 days would bring this into line with best practice around supporting other vulnerable people find homes and reduce, risks of homelessness and destitution locally.”


Miliband pledges to end scourge of cold and draughty rentals


Labour is to bring in new regulations to improve the standard of all rented housing, the energy secretary announced at the party’s conference in Liverpool. As a result landlords who rent out sub-standard draughty homes will face a crackdown. Miliband said the measures would liſt a


million renters out of fuel poverty. Previously announced plans only applied to private landlords, but the new requirements will also cover tenants in social rent homes. Miliband told the conference: “We all know that the poorest people in our country oſten live


in cold, draughty homes. It is a Tory legacy... this Government will not tolerate this injustice and we will end it.” He added: “We will go further and faster than promised in our manifesto: ensuring every rented home reaches decent standards of energy efficiency.” Under current regulations, private landlords are


free to rent out homes even if they only meet the lowest minimum standard of efficiency, an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E. Social rented homes are subject to no minimum


energy efficiency standards at present and concerns have been raised by campaigners that social landlords, including housing associations and councils, have been allowing their stock to deteriorate, harming some of the most vulnerable in society. Labour will consult by the end of this year on


revised proposals that would require all rented homes to meet an EPC rating of C or its equivalent by 2030.


14 | HMMOctober/November 2024 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


Analysis by Friends of the Earth has found that


at current rates of progress it would take 90 years to ensure that the 55% of homes in England and Wales that do not meet EPC C are brought up to that standard. Health authorities are concerned about the poor


state of the UK’s homes, aſter cases of damp and mould that have caused illness and even death in children. Homes are also responsible for about a fiſth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, and cost households hundreds of pounds a year in higher energy bills, so are an urgent priority for reaching Net Zero. Simon Francis, the coordinator of the End


Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “People in rented accommodation are almost twice as likely to live in cold, damp homes compared with people who own their own properties... but the Government shouldn’t drag their heels with more consultations. Tis issue has been consulted on widely in the past and ministers must move to take action.”


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