London Hosting
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm not sure I am qualified to help refugees. What will hosting involve?
Hosting a destitute migrant is like inviting any other guest to stay at your house. We are not asking for professional support to be offered, simply a place to stay, facilities to wash and somewhere to cook and eat. These and your offer of friendship will go a long way.
How do I become a host?
Join one of our information sessions. Or if you are sure, just fill in an application form and send it to us. We willcontact you to arrange a face-to-face meeting followed by an assessment in your home.London Hosting will work with you on your terms as long as the basic principles of the project are agreed between us. Once this has been completed, we will be able to make you an offer of hosting, according to your availability.
Who will be my guest?
London Hosting aims to provide accommodation for destitute asylum seekers and other forced migrants. Normally this means those whose application has been turned down, who have lost their entitlement to support and accommodation and are not allowed to work.
Hosting gives an invaluable opportunity for migrant support agencies, such as Praxis, to work on cases and stabilize clients so that they are able to re-access public funds or even resolve their case so that the right to live in the UK is granted to them.
Guests are referred to London Hosting by Praxis advisers and caseworkers from other migrant support agencies operating in London. No self-referral is possible. We will give you as much information about the guest as possible before you meet them.
People with a current drug or alcohol addiction, history of violence or criminal behaviour,severe mental or physical health needswill not be referred through hosting.
We may accept referrals for guests with less serious physical or mental health (e.g. depression) needs if we have hosts who are confidentin dealing with these issues. If you have such qualifications and/or experience and are willing to host such guests, please indicate this clearly on the application form.
How do I meet my guest?
We arrange a time and a place for you to meet your guest. For all but very short term placements the meeting will normally happen at Praxis in the presence of the scheme coordinator and the guest’s caseworker. This should give you a chance to get to know each other in a ‘neutral’ environment.During the meeting the scheme coordinator, you and the guest will agree the basic ground rules of the stay and the time when the guest should leave your house.
What should I provide my guest with?
As a minimum, we expect that the guest will be provided with a place to sleep (ideally a room but it may be a sofa bed in the living room), bedding and towel, place to store and cook food and a place to keep their belongings and to wash their clothes. General conduct and safety rules for staying in somebody’s house will be explained to the guest at the introductory meeting but please make them aware of any specific requirements you may have regarding coming and going, use of kitchen, bathroom, telephone, computer etc…Also explain how to use any equipment and appliances if you allow your guest to use them.
How long may I be required to host for?
You indicate the time you want to host in the application form and we take it into account when we arrange a placement. Some people host only for one or two nights whilst others do it for a few weeks at a time.
Long-term placements will be reviewed after a week and again after a month. We will keep in regular contact and continue to support you after the review. Placements may be extended if both host and guest are happy to continue. You can also ask your guest to leave early by contacting the scheme’s coordinator.
If I can only host for a short time what will happen to my guest after?
We shall do our best to match your availability with the guest’s needs. If a guest needs to be hosted for longer than you are available, we shall do our best to find them an alternative when their time with you is over.
Should I help my guest in dealing with their case?
No.The guest will have a dedicated and qualified caseworker who will continue working on their case while they are hosted by you.
Do I have to give my guest a key to my house/flat?
You do not have to if you prefer not to. Or you may choose to decide after you have had a chance to get to know your guest better. However, if you do not give your guest the use of the key, it is important to make arrangements on when they are expected to leave the house and come back.
How will I be supported?
Every host who becomes part of London Hosting network will receive individual support and have the opportunity to participate in group sessions.
Induction: a short induction after the initial meeting and assessment. The scheme coordinator will remain in regular contact with you and you will have a mobile phone number to ring in case of emergency.
Information:London Hosting will advise you and your guest on local places to go to during the day, ESOL and other educational resources, health facilities, advice agencies, as well as community and refugee support groups.
Training: a chance to get trained on relevant topics according to need and interest from hosts.
Reflective Practice: Meet other hosts and reflect on your experiences, share your joys and concerns. Find out new ways of doing things.
Administrative support: London Hosting takes responsibilities for all admin duties related to the project as well as Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) application and payment if necessary.
Will I receive any financial support?
We do not have funds to support hosts therefore we request that you do not incur any expenses which you would not have incurred otherwise. Some hosts may be able to provide meals, others not. Either is fine and will be discussed at interview.The guest should not ask you for money and it will be made clear to them when the placement is arranged.
Some financial and material assistance will be made available for guests, so they can have some independence whilst living with you. They should therefore be able to buy food and toiletries as well as travel around as needed. We also have links with existing food and clothing banks for additional support.
What if we don't get along?
We work hard to match hosts and guests, as far as possible. We will give you beforehand as much information about your guest, as we can. Some guests will interact a lot with the host, others prefer to spend more time alone or with their friends outside the home. If an insurmountable problem arises, then the guest will be moved elsewhere. You are not contractually obligated.
What if my guest steals from me?
We will not place anyone with you who has a history of theft that we are aware of. When matching you with a guest, we shall make sure they understand not to take or borrow your things. Both of you will also sign an agreement where terms and conditions such as this will be set out.
If your things go missing and you have reason to believe that your guest may have taken them, the first thing is to ask your guest. If this does not resolve the situation satisfactorily or your belongings do not turn up, please inform us immediately. If you have good reasons to believe that your guest has stolen from you, placements can be terminated straight away.
Take commonsense measures of precaution: do not leave money or valuables lying around. If you have home contents insurance it is worth checking if hosting someone will affect its terms. This may not necessarily be due to theft but also accidents caused by fire etc.
What if I feel unsafe?
If a host feels their safety, or that of another household member, is threatened by their guest, they should first remove themselves from the situation. Hosts should not hesitate to then immediately call the police. It is also important to keep a record ofthe nature of the incident as well as its date and time and inform the scheme’s coordinator as soon as possible.
Am I breaking the law by hosting someone who was refused asylum?
No.Refused asylum seekers and other destitute migrants are not illegal. The most difficult aspect of their situation is that they are neither legal nor illegal, which leaves them in this destitution trap. They can stay in limbo for months, sometimes years
In addition, it is the Home Office’s responsibility to remove those who they believe should not remain in the UK.
It is an offence to knowingly harbour someone who is on the run having committed a crime, or has escaped from a Detention Centre, or has received a deportation order. Likewise it would be an offence to deliberately withhold information from an official of the state, if this is requested from you. Hosts should notify the project coordinator of any enquiries they receive from any official source about their guests.
Still have not found the answer to some of your questions?
Give us a callat Housing Justice on 020 3544 8094
or send an email toBrian Ball at
London Hosting is a partnership ofPraxis, Housing Justice, Spare Room, Jesuit Refugee Service, London Interfaith Forum,Just Homes, London Catholic Worker and others.
Disclaimer: Please note that, whilst London Hosting makes every effort to vet guests prior to making placements and to support hosts and guests during placements, it cannot accept any liability for private arrangements made between hosts and guests.
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