On 23 July 2004, the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) wrote to Accommodata Limited and Roselodge Limited issuing 90 days notice of termination of contract. This means that the contracts will terminate on Thursday 21 October 2004.

2. Senior representatives from NASS and Accommodata met on 29 July to agree the approach to winding down the contract to meet the deadline for termination on 21 October. A similar meeting between NASS and Roselodge took place on 2 August.

3. The meetings recognised that since the contracts were signed in 2000, there had been a decrease in asylum intake leading to a surplus of accommodation. NASS has, therefore, been negotiating with providers to reduce the volume and cost of unused accommodation. These negotiations were unable to deliver the scale of savings required in terms of reduced numbers of bedspaces. As a result, terminating contracts has regrettably become necessary to ensure value for money to the taxpayer and reduce unused accommodation.

4. NASS is working with providers and other agencies to ensure that the transition for the asylum seekers affected is as smooth as possible.

5. A team has been established within NASS to co-ordinate the work to wind down the contracts by 21 October. Queries about individual cases can be directed to a special hotline on 020 8633 0862. The hotline operates seven days a week, during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm) and will continue to operate up until 23 October. Other enquiries should continue to be directed, as appropriate, to the central NASS Telephone Enquiry Bureau (TEB) on 0845 602 1739, the NASS Support & Discontinuation of Support (INEB) Line on 0845 6000 914, or the IND General Enquiry Line on 0870 606 7766 (all available 9.00am – 4.45pm, Monday – Thursday and 9.00am – 4.30pm on Friday),

Since the contracts were signed in 2000 there has been a significant decrease in asylum intake. This has resulted in a growing number of unused and surplus bedspaces in some of the contracted accommodation.

NASS is accountable within the Home Office for ensuring the efficient use of the public funds allocated to provide support for asylum seekers. Termination of contracts to reduce the number of unused and surplus bedspaces is, therefore, necessary to ensure that the taxpayer receives value for money.

As is usual, this information is commercially confidential and no figures are, therefore, available.

Some asylum seekers will have to move to empty accommodation that NASS has with other providers. Where possible, NASS will arrange moves on a local basis.

Although a significant number of service users will be involved, NASS will be managing the process to ensure that the impact of moves is as minimal as possible.

Moves will take place up to the termination of the contracts on 21 October. Where possible, moves will be to alternative accommodation in the same area.

The aim will be to minimise the impact as much as possible by looking at options in the locality.

NASS will work with providers and other agencies to ensure that the transition for the asylum seekers affected is as smooth as possible.

However, it will not always be possible to find accommodation near by. Some service users will, therefore, be required to move further away.

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has contracts with a number of accommodation providers to supply housing to individuals and families in receipt of NASS support. Accommodata Limited and Roselodge Limited are two accommodation providers who have been given notice that their contracts with the Home Office will be terminated with effect from 21 October 2004. After that date, no one will be able to stay in Accommodata or Roselodge properties.

8. What happens if I refuse to leave?

Staying is not an option because after 21 October 2004, Accommodata and Roselodge properties will no longer be used to house those in receipt of NASS support.

Singles. If you fail to travel to your new accommodation without good reason, your NASS support may be terminated and you will be evicted from your current property. It may be that you are now in a position where family or friends are able to offer you permanent accommodation. If this is the case, you may be able to apply to NASS for subsistence only support.

If you feel that there is a valid reason why you cannot move to a particular address or area, or travel on a particular date and you have not already made this known to NASS, please call the helpline on 020 8633 0862.

Families. If you fail to travel to your new accommodation without good reason you will be evicted from your current address and regular cash support will no longer be available to you there. Under section 122 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the offer of support will remain open, but only at a new address.

If there is a valid reason why you cannot move to a particular address or area, or travel on a particular date, and you have not already made this known to NASS, please call the helpline on 020 8633 0862.

9. Will I be able to remain in the area in which I am currently living e.g. Birmingham?

The priority is to find you suitable alternative accommodation with another provider before 21 October. NASS will make every effort to ensure that you continue to live close to your existing community but this may not be possible in every case.

If you have children who are attending local schools, NASS will attempt to identify suitable accommodation within the area you currently live to minimise the disruption to your child’s/children’s education. NASS will inform the Local Education Authority of your move so that this process is carried out as effectively as possible. The availability of suitable family accommodation will be a determining factor as to where you will be eventually located.

11. I have a sick husband/wife/child/relative who is unable to travel. Will we

have to move?

Yes, because the accommodation currently managed by Accommodata and Roselodge will not be available after 21 October. However, NASS officials are visiting families with children, and those who have identified special needs. Individual factors affecting you or your family will be taken into account before any arrangements are made to move you to alternative accommodation.

12. I have regular out-patient appointments at the hospital. What will happen

if I have to move out of the area?

NASS will take account of individual circumstances, particularly medical conditions and the availability of hospital treatment, when arranging alternative accommodation. However, it is likely that you will be able to access appropriate treatment at hospitals in other areas.

13. I attend a local college and want to continue my studies there. Will I have

to move?

Yes. However, individual factors will be taken into account whenever possible

before a move is arranged, particularly for individuals who have started the final school or college year leading up to their GCSEs, AS or A level exams (or their equivalent).

14. My uncles/aunts/cousins/other family members currently live close to

me. Will we be able to stay together following the move to new accommodation?

If NASS is aware of the family dynamics in individual cases, every effort will be

made to locate family members close to each other. However, this is dependent

on the availability of suitable accommodation in a particular area.

15. I currently have to report to the Immigration Service/police on a weekly

NASS will notify the Immigration Service and the police of your new address and they will advise you of your new reporting arrangements.

Where possible, NASS will take such factors into account prior to arranging a move to new accommodation. All cities and main towns where NASS has accommodation have a number of places of worship encompassing a variety of faiths so it should be possible for you to practise your religion.

Arrangements will be made for you to travel to your new accommodation either by coach/minibus or alternatively by issuing you with a train or national express coach ticket. You will be provided with more details of your move nearer to the date of travel.

Your current or new provider may be able to arrange to transport your

possessions or pets if the move to new accommodation is situated locally. In

some instances it may be necessary to place your possessions in storage for a

short time until arrangements can be made to move them to your new address.

If this is the case, you may be liable for any costs incurred. You should be aware that the luggage limit for the Group 4 coaches used by NASS is 2 medium sized cases/bags and a small piece of hand luggage.

All NASS properties have been inspected and have to meet a required standard before they are available for use. Your new accommodation should therefore be of a similar standard to the one that you currently occupy.

The vast majority of NASS accommodation is self catering, i.e. you are given

money to buy your own food and cooking facilities are available in the

accommodation. However, there may be instances where individuals may be placed in hostels offering full board accommodation i.e. all meals are provided.

21. What happens if my current provider evicts me from my accommodation?

Assuming you still have an outstanding claim for asylum, your current provider is contractually obliged to house you until 21 October. If you are faced with the possibility of eviction, you should contact the helpline that has been set up to deal with issues arising from the moves relating to Accommodata and Roselodge properties on 020 8633 0862.

NASS will make arrangements for you to collect your support from a Post Office near your new address and inform you of the date from which this begins; if necessary, emergency support will be sent to you to cover the period before this. Sodexho Pass will then tell you by letter of the Post Office’s location.

23. I have moved but have not yet been informed by NASS when my new cash support arrangements will begin.

Call the NASS Support Enquiry Helpline on 0845 6000 914. You will be sent emergency support within 24 hours whilst NASS update your support details.

24. I have received my new cash support details from NASS but do not know my new Post Office.

Call the Sodexho Pass Careline on 01276 687099

25. I have been to the Post Office but could not collect my cash support.

Call the NASS Support Enquiry Helpline on 0845 6000 194. The reasons for this will be investigated immediately.

No. Your certificate will be valid at the new address but you will need to take a letter from NASS showing your new address when obtaining medication for prescriptions etc.

You will need to apply to NASS in writing requesting this change. The address is:

You should be aware that NASS cannot be held liable for any rent or utility bill arising from the use of the accommodation.

You must be ready to move on the date notified to you. Arrangements will have been made for you to travel to your new accommodation either by coach/minibus or alternatively by issuing you with a train or national express coach ticket. You will be provided with more details of your move nearer to the date of travel. If you have specific queries about your case you can ring our special hotline on 020 8633 0862 during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday). In addition, the hotline will also be staffed at weekends from October 9^th.

If you have specific queries about your case you can ring our special hotline on 020 8633 0862 during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday). In addition, the hotline will also be staffed on weekends from October 9^th.

30. I am in property owned by Accommodata or Roselodge but I have not heard from NASS about a proposed new address. What should I do?

Please ring our special hotline on 020 8633 0862 during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday). In addition, the hotline will also be staffed at weekends from October 9^th.

31. I have been to look at my new accommodation but I don’t like it. I have moved back to my old address. What should I do?

Singles. If you fail to travel to your new accommodation without good reason, your NASS support may be terminated and you would be evicted from your current property. It may be that you are now in a position where family or friends are able to offer you permanent accommodation. If this is the case, you may be able to apply to NASS for subsistence only support.

Families. If you fail to travel to your new accommodation without good reason you will be evicted from your current address and regular cash support will no longer be available to you there. Under section 122 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the offer of support will remain open, but only at a new address.

1. If you feel that there is a valid reason why you cannot move to a particular address or area, or travel on a particular date and you have not already made this known to NASS, please call the hotline on 020 8633 0862 during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday). In addition, the hotline will also be staffed at weekends from October 9^th.

Please ring our special hotline on 020 8633 0862 during office hours (09:00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday). In addition, the hotline will also be staffed at weekends from October 9^th.

National Asylum Support Service

11 October 2004