Christians make proposals to tackle Polish street homelessness

-09/09/06

Christian hom


Christians make proposals to tackle Polish street homelessness

-09/09/06

Christian homelessness charity Housing Justice has called on the British and Polish governments to work together to solve the problem of homeless Polish and Eastern European migrants in Britain.

The call came after Housing Justice and the Simon Community this week welcomed the visit of the Polish-British Mission for Employment to the UK led by Polish charity the Barka Foundation. The Mission, which includes representatives of the Polish government, is visiting London to find out first hand about the problem of homelessness among Polish and Eastern European migrants.

The Mission will hold a press conference on Monday 11 September to outline their findings. Meetings are also taking place with the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and several agencies working to provide support to homeless people in London.

Alastair Murray of Housing Justice commented ìWe and the Simon Community have arranged a full programme of visits for the Mission to show the reality of life for Polish and other Eastern Europeans who have become homeless in this country. Sadly the problem of homelessness is increasing among this group and services are struggling to cope.

ìThis situation needs to be tackled by the Polish and British governments and the European Union working together as a matter of urgency. We have compiled a three point strategy to resolve the problem. Information, advice and support are the keys to preventing and dealing with homelessness among Polish people and other Eastern Europeans.î

Housing Justice is also proposing a number of ideas to address the problem including a comprehensive advertising campaign in Poland warning that those coming to the UK need the means to support themselves until they start work. They also suggest that Poles be warned to treat with caution third parties who demand fees and the handing over of papers for help in finding or registering for employment and accommodation as in many cases these fail to materialise.

The establishment of a Welcome Centre near to Victoria Coach Station is another suggestion, to provide advice and help to people on arrival in their own languages. The Centre could also offer assistance with registering on the Workersí Registration Scheme and in obtaining a National Insurance Number, say campaigners.

Housing Justice will hold a press conference on Monday in Westminster to elaborate on these proposals.

Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action to prevent homelessness and bad housing.

It was formed in April 2003 by the merger of two long-standing housing charities, the Catholic Housing Aid Society (CHAS) and the Churches National Housing Coalition (CNHC). In January 2006 Housing Justice merged with UNLEASH (Church Action on Homelessness in London). Housing Justice brings together more than 60 years experience of working for change in the field of housing.


Christians make proposals to tackle Polish street homelessness

-09/09/06

Christian homelessness charity Housing Justice has called on the British and Polish governments to work together to solve the problem of homeless Polish and Eastern European migrants in Britain.

The call came after Housing Justice and the Simon Community this week welcomed the visit of the Polish-British Mission for Employment to the UK led by Polish charity the Barka Foundation. The Mission, which includes representatives of the Polish government, is visiting London to find out first hand about the problem of homelessness among Polish and Eastern European migrants.

The Mission will hold a press conference on Monday 11 September to outline their findings. Meetings are also taking place with the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales and several agencies working to provide support to homeless people in London.

Alastair Murray of Housing Justice commented ìWe and the Simon Community have arranged a full programme of visits for the Mission to show the reality of life for Polish and other Eastern Europeans who have become homeless in this country. Sadly the problem of homelessness is increasing among this group and services are struggling to cope.

ìThis situation needs to be tackled by the Polish and British governments and the European Union working together as a matter of urgency. We have compiled a three point strategy to resolve the problem. Information, advice and support are the keys to preventing and dealing with homelessness among Polish people and other Eastern Europeans.î

Housing Justice is also proposing a number of ideas to address the problem including a comprehensive advertising campaign in Poland warning that those coming to the UK need the means to support themselves until they start work. They also suggest that Poles be warned to treat with caution third parties who demand fees and the handing over of papers for help in finding or registering for employment and accommodation as in many cases these fail to materialise.

The establishment of a Welcome Centre near to Victoria Coach Station is another suggestion, to provide advice and help to people on arrival in their own languages. The Centre could also offer assistance with registering on the Workersí Registration Scheme and in obtaining a National Insurance Number, say campaigners.

Housing Justice will hold a press conference on Monday in Westminster to elaborate on these proposals.

Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action to prevent homelessness and bad housing.

It was formed in April 2003 by the merger of two long-standing housing charities, the Catholic Housing Aid Society (CHAS) and the Churches National Housing Coalition (CNHC). In January 2006 Housing Justice merged with UNLEASH (Church Action on Homelessness in London). Housing Justice brings together more than 60 years experience of working for change in the field of housing.