European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXT
ENHR
The housing pathways of central and east European migrant workers living in Wales
Peter Mackie, Cardiff University
Paul Milbourne, Cardiff University
John Pritchard, Shelter Cymru
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Introduction and context
In 2004 the EU expanded
989,085 registrations on the Worker Registration Scheme in the UK (25,000 in Wales), 72% Polish
Central and east European migrants living in Wales may face restrictions to housing and homelessness support
Anecdotal evidence suggested that central and east European migrants were facing housing difficulties
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Research methods
In-depth interviews with 93 central and east European migrants, representing a mix of housing experiences and household types.
Self-completion questionnaires sent to all Welsh local authorities (13 responses)
Interviews conducted with 28 key people (including local authority housing and homelessness officers, voluntary sector organisations)
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Motivation for migration
Motivation for migration Number Percentage
Economic 48 51%
Joining family/partner 21 23%
Explore the world 12 13%
Other 11 12%
Unknown 1 1%
Total 93 100
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Facilitation of migration
Facilitator of migration Number Percentage
Family 37 40%
Employment agency 28 30%
Friends 20 21%
No support 8 9%
Total 93 100
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Housing conditions and issues Initially, most (83%) migrant workers were in poor
accommodation, or homeless.
“There were mushrooms everywhere, it was a joke. Plaster was falling down, the floor was horrible and mattress was old.” [Truda, 25-34, from Poland]
Many people managed to improve their housing as they became established. Approximately three quarters (73%) were in reasonable or good housing.
There were issues regarding tied accommodation, Houses of Multiple Occupation and landlord management
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
1st house 2nd house 3rd house current house
Housing
Fre
qu
en
cy
houseless
poor
mixed
good
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Homelessness What percentage of Migrant Workers had experienced
homelessness in the UK?
A. 15% B.30% C. 45%
The main reasons for homelessness were job loss, losing tied accommodation, disputes with housemates and fear of crime
No recourse to public funds was a significant problem for those who found themselves homeless.
Many who found themselves homeless stayed with friends until they found new accommodation, but others slept rough
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
Reflections and future directions
Explore the extent to which these pathways are a result of individual agency and structural constraints
Investigate divergences from the general pathway from poor quality to better quality housing
Future research might consider the housing experiences of people who have returned to eastern Europe
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE NEW
EUROPEAN CONTEXTENHR
The housing pathways of central and east European migrant workers living in Wales
Peter Mackie, Cardiff University
Paul Milbourne, Cardiff University
John Pritchard, Shelter Cymru
