Asylum seekers service

As part of the national dispersal programme for asylum seekers, Salford City Council entered into a contract with the National Asylum Support Service (known as NASS and is part of the Home Office). The city council's housing support service, is responsible for managing this contract which covers 30% of the asylum seekers in Salford with the remaining 70% being housed by private landlords.

A number of properties are assigned to the Social Housing team solely for the use of asylum seekers.

The Social Housing team is notified when somebody is being dispersed to the area. They then decides which property is best suited for that person or family. All properties are furnished, approximately half of which are three bed houses for families of up to five persons. The remaining are two bed flats for two single people who, in the majority of cases, may not know each other. Once the family have moved in, a Social Housing Support Officer will visit regularly to ensure that everything is satisfactory, conduct property inspections and assist the people to integrate into the local community.

Asylum seekers are helped to register with a local G.P, those with school age children will be helped to access schools, and everyone will be offered help to register to learn English.

This work continues until the asylum seeker receives a decision on their asylum application. If a positive decision is reached they are entitled to work. At this stage they would become entitled to apply to the homelessness section and/or register for housing. However they must leave their asylum property soon after receiving a positive decision.

If an asylum application is refused and the appeals system has been exhausted then they must vacate their asylum property. They will not be entitled to work, claim benefits or access public housing. Removal directions should be issued to them by the Home Office. Whilst waiting, Refugee Action should be contacted or if they wish to be considered under the National Assistance Act then contact should be made with Social Services.

The Social Housing team have the following responsibilities: