Proposals to improve housing support response
In response to the racist violence and disorder, which broke out across towns and cities in Northern Ireland this summer, Law Centre NI (LCNI) and Housing Rights has developed practical recommendations to ensure that migrants made homeless can get access to emergency accommodation. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) plays a critical role in providing emergency accommodation to people who are intimidated out of their homes. However, due to UK-wide immigration law, many migrant victims with temporary visas find themselves excluded from NIHE assistance due to the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition.
Migrant healthcare staff continue to experience racism including attacks on their homes and cars. The Health Minister and Trusts have rightly condemned these attacks and highlighted the vital contribution that these workers make to the NHS and to wider NI society. It is important to note however, that these attacks also extend beyond healthcare staff, affecting anyone on temporary visas. This includes Skilled Worker, Spouse, Student, and Seasonal Agricultural Worker visa holders.
But while expressions of support and solidarity are welcome, the most immediate and pressing need in such situations is access to safe housing. Despite this clear need, NIHE does not provide emergency accommodation. Migrants are on their own.
We are calling for the Northern Ireland Executive to:
- Utilise the Interim Duty to provide accommodation to victims of racist intimidation who are subject to the NRPF condition.
- Defer determining eligibility, either for a period of 40 days or until the Home Office determines a Change of Conditions request (whichever is longer).
- Urgently clarify the accommodation / support processes for NRPF households where there are minor children.
- Provide an assurance of no detriment (e.g. prosecution or adverse immigration consequences)
- Agree a process with the Home Office whereby migrant victims of hate crime can access an expedited procedure to apply for the NRPF condition to be lifted Without risk of jeopardising subsequent immigration applications.
- Consider the accommodation needs of other categories of migrants.
- Ensure long-term sustainability and operation of TEO Crisis Fund.
- Establish an emergency grant fund to help affected migrants source alternative private rental accommodation.
These measures are urgently needed to provide safety, stability, and dignity to migrants who contribute to our communities but are currently left without protection when facing targeted racist intimidation.
Read our full briefing here