Local Authorities should consider the use of public health powers to provide accommodation to BN(O) migrants with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) to reduce the risk of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, protecting public health and ensure that people at risk of homelessness or living in overcrowded accommodation have access to sanitation and can comply with public health advice.

COSLA have produced guidance to assist Local Authorities with supporting vulnerable people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) during the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance will enable Local Authorities to meet their statutory safeguarding duties during the pandemic while protecting public health. 

You can download the full version of this COVID-19 Guidance here. A short summary is provided below:

• On Friday 20 March 2020, COSLA Group Leaders unanimously agreed that Local Government should meet the accommodation and financial needs of people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) who require assistance. 
• Local authorities have statutory Public Health duties to provide emergency accommodation to all people with NRPF who are homeless or rough sleeping during the pandemic to protect them from the virus and ensure public health.
• The decision means in practice that local authorities should: 
  • provide temporary access to accommodation and any necessary financial assistance, to support people with NRPF who are in need during this period. 
  • take any other relevant measures required to protect public health – this can include financial support, food, or other emergency assistance, as long as the funding is not a prohibited public fund (such as the Scottish Welfare Fund). 
  • provide any support necessary to safeguard vulnerable people, including children in families with NRPF and adults with community care needs under statutory safeguarding duties. 
  • work in partnership to ensure that support can be provided effectively to people with NRPF.
• In circumstances where an individual is receiving assistance solely on public health grounds, this will be provided on a temporary basis, as part of an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Any support provided and costs incurred should be clearly recorded and reviewed, in line with changes in public health advice and/or any relevant changes in UK immigration rules during this period. 

If you have any more questions about this guidance or using public health powers to assist Hong Kong BN(O) migrants, please contact us directly at hongkongBNO@cosla.gov.uk.