Homeless refugees were the lead topic at a briefing to discuss changes in preparation for winter to shelter more people in need.
GM Mayor Andy Burham hosted a media briefing panel accompanied by homelessness charity CEOs and city mayor of Salford Paul Dennett to provide an update on homelessness and rough sleeping ahead of the winter months.
The Mayor shared that £500,000 has been allocated from the government, and matched by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for a total of £1m to add more beds in the colder months.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s A Bed Every Night scheme offers a place to sleep to those facing homelessness with no recourse to public funds and who do not qualify for social housing. The money has helped provide 65 more beds – but these are already occupied.
The number of people rough sleeping was declining in 2017 and 2018 with help from funds raised by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, among other efforts from the government and charitable help.
Mr Burnham said that among the complex cases adding to this increase, homeless refugee and asylum seeker numbers are a large portion of the added strain on support efforts.
The home office ramped up funding around 2022 to speed up the asylum application backlog by holding more tribunals. While this allowed many to move out of hotels and into temporary accommodation, there are many refugees – often single, young and fit to work – who have been left unqualified for further government support.
City Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett said: “Accelerated asylum is an absolute disgrace.
“On the face of it, the whole idea of accelerating asylum is a good idea. The issue is the consequences of it.”
Mr Dennet said the next batch of asylum applications to be processed by the Home Office are even more likely to have no recourse to public funds and to lack leave to remain status, which leaves them legally unable to access services, and ultimately evicted from their accommodation and on the streets.
Mustard Tree is a charity which has been helping those experiencing homelessness and poverty since it began in 1994 and now has several hubs throughout Manchester.
Jo Walby is the CEO and says a direct result of three years’ worth of right to remain decisions being made in nine months can be seen in the number of tents of homeless refugees lined up near Manchester Town Hall.
Ms Walby said demand has increased from 9000 people in April, to current numbers which are around 11,000.
New registrations of asylum seekers or rough sleepers at Mustard Tree increased from 30% last year, to 60% this year.
She said: “(Asylum seekers/refugees) had a real disadvantage because they’re not allowed to learn English, not allowed to work, before they are then told they have right to remain.”
The new Labour government’s national insurance changes in the Autumn budget have dealt a major blow to growth of the charity as well – a £38,000 setback.
Charities are currently not exempt. Ms Walby says this setback has completely drained the savings set aside ahead of the budget changes, which will not allow them to recruit necessary new staff in the coming year.
Mustard tree accepts donations of money, furniture, food and goods. To donate furniture, please call 0161 228 7331, or if you wish to give in another way, visit the website mustardtree.org.uk/donate/
