BREXIT WORRIES HOMELESS EUROPEANS
Those sleeping rough fear being detained, want to remain in Britain
THOUSANDS of Europeans who sleep rough on the streets could be at risk of further deprivation — be it detention or deportation — once the country leaves the European Union and they lose their right to remain.
While Britain’s exact departure date is unclear, charities fear no amount of extra time will help thousands of homeless Europeans
prepare the paperwork and complete the procedures needed to stay on legally in the country they now call home.
“Everybody is worried about Brexit,” said Piotr, 39, a Pole who lives on the streets of Northampton in central England.
Piotr moved to Britain 15 years ago but has now slept rough for months since losing his job.
“I want to stay in England, it’s a fantastic country for me and the problem (of having no place to live) at the moment is because I couldn’t find work,” said Piotr.
Piotr, whose family is in Poland and Germany, said he was “unhappy” on the streets and wanted to contribute to society.
He said many of his friends from Lithuania and Romania had faced extra hostility since Britons voted to leave the EU in 2016 and that his community felt ever more nervous about Brexit.
Although he had the proof of identity papers that many other homeless lacked, he still feared deportation.
“I want to stay legal in England.”
A report by public policy consultancy WPI Economics — commissioned by national homelessness charities — said homeless EU citizens were a “key group” who risked new difficulties.
“Whatever happens with Brexit, it’s going to be a real challenge for homelessness,” said Matthew Oakley, director of WPI Economics and author of the report.
There is no consensus for the number of homeless people but a government snapshot showed that some 1,000 EU nationals slept rough in England on any given night last year, or one in five of the country’s entire homeless tally.
Homeless charities say total figures could be much higher, taking into account the “hidden homeless” — people who sofa surf, use temporary housing or sleep on transport.
Britain was due to leave the European Union in March, but amid intense political infighting, it is still unclear how, when or even if it will exit the bloc.
Europeans who arrived in the country before March 29 must apply for “settled status”, which will require paperwork and proof of identity that lawyers say many homeless people lack.
Without this, EU migrants may be at risk of staying in the country illegally and would be unable to access healthcare, pensions or social welfare benefits.
Homeless Europeans are more likely to be unaware of pending deadlines, lack Internet access or fear interaction with authorities, the WPI report found.
“Anyone who isn’t able to regularise their status by the deadline could be thrown into detention or face deportation,” said Zoe Gardner, policy adviser at JCWI, a legal charity that promotes immigrants’ rights.
Britain used to deport homeless Europeans but a landmark court case in 2017 ruled it an abuse of EU rights to free movement. Now charities fear the practice may be resurrected.