Latest news

• Homeless Link and CLG are running two free half-day events for local authorities to share good practice in working with A8 and A2 nationals. Visit our events page for further information.

• The NRPF Network is hosting a conference 'Destitute A8/A2 Migrants and Access to Public Funds' on 8th July, in Cardiff. Visit their website for more information and booking details.

• On the 8th April 2009, the Government announced that it will be renewing the Workers Registration Scheme which requires A8 nationals to complete 12 months registered work before they are entitled to access benefits. Homeless Link is very disappointed at this decision which is likely to increase the risks of CEE clients becoming destitute. Please see our press release for more information.

• Homeless Link has published an end of project report on its action plan to reduce rough sleeping among Central and Eastern Europeans in London. Since the launch of the action plan in June 2008, Homeless Link has been working with a range of partner organisations, government agencies and other stakeholders both in the UK and in CEE countries to deliver the actions outlined in the plan. This report provides a summary of this progress, looks at what has been achieved and makes some suggestions for where further work is needed.

• Homeless Link has published its Repeat Survey report about rough sleeping amongst Central and Eastern Europeans in London. The report follows a baseline survey conducted in November 2007, and provides an updated picture of rough sleeping amongst this client group. The findings suggest that the proportion of rough sleepers from CEE countries is increasing.

• Thames Reach has launched its London Reconnections Team for Central and Eastern Europeans sleeping rough in London. See reconnection page for further information.

• UR4Jobs and Primus Personnel and Media have launched a unique Polish language CSCS training package for individuals and organisations working with members of the Polish community in the UK. See Polish CSCS training flyer for more details.

• Homeless Link and the Vulnerable Workers Project have published a guide on: how to stop your clients being exploited at work. View the guide here.

• Homeless Link has produced a policy briefing on the decision to extend restrictions on A2 workers. View the A2 briefing here.

• Our accommodation page has been updated. It now outlines all the accommodation options and entitlements for those from A8 and A2 countries. Follow the link to view.

• The government has committed to take action to address rough sleeping amongst migrants in its new strategy No One Left Out, Communities ending rough sleeping One of the key actions identified in the strategy promises to ‘step up’ efforts to tackle rough sleeping amongst this client group, including those with no recourse to public funds.

Central and Eastern Europeans Project

Our Central and Eastern Europeans project, which ran from June 2008 until March 2009, worked with government departments, the homelessness sector and a wide range of other partners to develop and deliver an action plan to reduce levels of rough sleeping among people from Central and Eastern Europe in London.

• See our Central and Eastern European Project Page for more details.

• Our end of project report provides a summary of what was achieved as part of the project and is now available to download. You can also download the project's original Action Plan which was published in June 2008.

Entitlements

• The transitional arrangements briefing developed by Homeless link and the AIRE Centre, with advice from the Department for Work and Pensions, outlines changes to the rights of A8 nationals in 2009.

• The entitlements page and downloadable briefing developed by Homeless link and the AIRE Centre gives guidance on A8 and A2 nationals’ entitlements to: the labour market and unemployment benefits; statutory homelessness assistance; housing/council tax benefit; local authority accommodation; Supporting People funding; NHS services

Services

The services page is themed by issue and contains information on entitlements, resources and organisations providing services for people from Central and Eastern Europe.

Resources

The resources page contains guidance, research and statistics for and around Central and Eastern Europeans in the UK.

Homeless A8 nationals research 2006

In 2006 Homeless Link undertook a project to understand better the issues faced by homeless A8 nationals and the agencies responding to their needs. This included a snapshot survey of London day centres, outreach teams and night shelters and follow-on interviews with providers who have developed specialised services.

Go to the 2006 homeless A8 nationals work

Contact helen.mathie@homelesslink.org.uk for more information