Sustainable solutions to poverty and inequality

EU citizens make up a third of London’s rough-sleeping population. Migrants who are homeless are particularly vulnerable and it is important for them to receive advice and support as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, cuts to legal aid and the closure of many legal advice providers for migrants and asylum seekers in the UK, has left tens of thousands without access to adequate legal advice and representation.

Limited accommodation options and complicated regulations governing EU migrants’ rights to social assistance and welfare benefits means that this complex process is made even more difficult.

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or are looking for advice on behalf of someone who is, call us on our advice line. Our advice line is open Mondays to Fridays between 10:30am and 6pm on 020 7831 4276 or email us at [email protected]

Our Approach

First, we work to make it easier for homeless EU migrants in London to access benefits and housing. Where we have noticed systemic violations of rights, we have identified key test cases and undertaken strategic litigation in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. These cases will have a significant impact beyond the individuals involved in the cases and may clarify the rights of hundreds of homeless migrants to access state support.

Second, through publications, trainings and engaging with the media we want to raise awareness of the legal rights of EU migrants in London who are facing poverty.

The interest in our training sessions has also been tremendous. Our ongoing capacity building work with professionals and frontline staff working with homeless EU migrants has meant that approximately 200 individuals to date have increased their knowledge in this area of law and become better equipped to advocate on behalf of this particularly vulnerable group of migrants.

Finally, we work to decrease the number of systemic practices and policies that prevent homeless EU migrants in London from accessing the support that they are actually entitled to.

Our unique expertise in this area of law enables us to provide legal advice and casework, and engage on the policy level, to achieve sustainable solutions to the problems of poverty and inequality which often underpin homelessness.

Read Mariana's story here.

Header Picture: Homeless women (Monica Kelly via Flickr)