Lenka Wyatt Private Sector Community Support Officer

EU/EEA Members

EU (also in EEA) – Austria,Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK EEA (not in EU) – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway

Expansion of the EU

•In May 2004 EU/EEA expanded by: - Cyprus, Malta - A8 countries - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia • In January 2007 other countries joined: - A2 countries - Bulgaria, Romania Ministers were initially advised that every year only up to 15000 East European workers would head to the UK. They were taken by surprise by the scale of the influx of 200, 000 immigrants. Which was 15 times the governments maximum estimate.

Recently the number has fallen dramatically, nevertheless there is still a distinct strain on statutory agencies.

Regulations for EEA nationals

• • • Freedom of movement for all Habitual residency test - voluntarily in UK - resident in UK - intention to remain in UK - in UK for an appreciable period of time The right to reside in the UK & eligibility for allocation, homelessness, benefits - right to reside for three months - work seeker (not for A8 and A2) - worker - maternity - self employed - family members - self supporting

Restrictions for A8 nationals

Right to work

• Workers Registration Scheme (WRS) - Registration Certificate - Registration Card • No registration for self-employed

Housing allocation, homelessness & in-work benefits

• eligible while working within the first 12 months • same rights as other EEA workers after completion of 12 months • eligible if self-employed

Restrictions for A2 nationals

Right to work

• Highly skilled workers – blue registration certificate, no restriction to work • People with a job offer for which a permit can be granted (skilled work where there is a labour shortage, doctors and dentists, domestic employment, some work in the food processing industry) - accession worker card • • Students (work up to 20 hrs/w) - student registration card Seasonal agricultural workers - SAWS card, up to 6 months work

Housing allocation, homelessness & in-work benefits

Highly skilled workers • eligible while working within the first 12 months • same rights as other EEA workers after completion of 12 months Self-employed – eligible while they are working Seasonal agricultural workers – farmers are expected to provide clean and sanitary accommodation. No dependants.

Identification documents

• Information on national passports and identity cards from European Union countries can be found on

www.consilium.europa.eu/prado

• Workers registration certificate http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersa ndsponsors/preventingillegalworking/currentguidanceandcodes/compr ehensiveguidancefeb08.pdf?view=Binary

Migration Impact Fund and Housing

• May 2009, the Housing Strategy & Development Service, in partnership with the Economic Development & Social Regeneration Team submitted a proposal to GOSE for funding through the Migration Impact Fund.

• Medway Council has been awarded funding to help manage the transitional impacts of migration by: * providing better access to housing advice and solutions * ensuring the availability of safe and decent homes in the private sector

My role

- Provide advice and assistance to the landlords regarding migrant tenants e.g. interpreting (Czech & Slovak language), translating the documents, liasing with the tenants - Provide advice and guidance to migrant households - Help migrants accessing other services provided by Medway Council e.g. housing and council tax benefits, and other outside bodies e.g. Job Centre plus for welfare benefits

Housing Advice Surgery for Eastern European migrants

Luton Junior School (Luton Road, Chatham): Monday 9.15 – 15.00 (Lenka Wyatt) Medway Community College (Magpie Hall Road, Chatham): Monday and Tuesday 9.00 – 15.00 (Milota Biagi) All Saints Children Centre (Magpie Hall Road, Chatham): Tuesday 9.15 – 15.00 (Lenka Wyatt) Luton Library (Nelson Terrace, Chatham): Thursday 9.00 – 15.00 (Milota Biagi)

Contact details

Lenka Wyatt Private Sector Community Support Officer [email protected]

Tel: 01634 333053 Address:

Private Sector Housing Gun Wharf Level 2 Dock Road Chatham ME4 4TR