Presentation given by Peter Mackie, Paul Milbourne, Cardiff University and John Pritchard, Shelter Cymru, UK at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Understanding Homelessness and Housing Exclusion in the New European Context", Budapest, Hungary, 2010

1. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN THE
ENHR
NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

2. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

3. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

4. Motivation for migration
Motivation for
Number Percentage
migration
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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

5. Facilitation of migration
Facilitator of Percentag
Number
migration e
Family 37 40%
Employment agency 28 30%
Friends 20 21%
No support 8 9%
Total 93 100
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

6. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

7. 60
50
40
houseless
Frequency
poor
30
mixed
good
20
10
0
1st house 2nd house 3rd house current house
Housing
European Research Conference, Budapest, 17th September 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

8. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

9. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT

10. 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 2010
UNDERSTANDING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION IN ENHR
THE NEW EUROPEAN CONTEXT