East European influx stretches services

More than one in seven people using front-line homelessness services in London are from the A8 eastern European countries, according to research.

In a survey of 43 agencies in March this year, Homeless Link found 638 nationals from the eight countries which joined the EU in 2004.

In some projects more than half the service users were A8 nationals and one-third of services said the influx had had a negative effect on their usual clients. Some cited competition for limited resources and increased tensions between groups.

Homeless Link called for a government department to take responsibility for A8 issues.

A8 Nationals in London Homelessness Services