Free Webinar – Preventing Homelessness When Asylum Support Ends

In the first instalment of our two-part Community Care Webinar Series, taking place on 27 November (1-2pm), we are looking at accessing local authority support when in asylum accommodation.

Now, join us for the second webinar of our lunchtime webinar series, where we tackle the challenges surrounding the transition from asylum support to mainstream housing assistance and the risks of homelessness during this vulnerable period.

This session will focus on effective strategies to mitigate homelessness risks when asylum support ends, and attendees will gain insights into navigating complex legal pathways to prevent abrupt support gaps for asylum seekers and refugees.

Chaired by housing expert Liz Davies KC, this event will bring together our barristers practicing at the intersection of housing and asylum support law. We will explore the role of The Asylum Support Tribunal, considering when to appeal decisions to prematurely or inappropriately cease s95 support, versus when a Judicial Review challenge in the High Court (under section 57 of the NIAA 2002) may be more effective.

This session will also cover planning proactive applications for section 4 accommodation and support, and key challenges faced when asylum support is still in place, causing delays in access to s188 housing support. We will also look at recent cases involving refugees transitioning off the Bibby Stockholm into local authority support.

This informative webinar is ideal for legal professionals, caseworkers, and advocates working in asylum support, housing law, and immigration advocacy. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of protecting vulnerable migrants from homelessness during critical transition periods.

Speakers

Liz Davies KC, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Liz is a leading social housing silk, ranked in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. She is a specialist in homelessness law, the law on allocation of social housing and accommodation under Children Act 1989 & Care Act 2014, as well as housing more broadly. Liz brings a tenacious and practical approach to her cases. A specialist in domestic abuse, Liz represented Southall Black Sisters and Solace Women’s Aid in Module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. She is the co-author of Housing Allocation and Homelessness: Law and Practice (Luba, Davies, Johnston & Buchanan, Lexisnexis 6th edition, 2022) and Domestic Abuse and Housing (Legal Action Group, forthcoming).

Matthew Ahluwalia, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Matthew has a lively public law practice, built on a strong grounding gained during his time as an employed barrister at the Public Law Project. His experience spans various aspects of administrative law and public decision-making. He frequently advises NGOs and individuals, and regularly contributes to LAG’s ‘Public Law Update’ column. Since 2018, Matthew has volunteered with the Asylum Support Appeals Project, representing applicants denied support under s4 or s95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Alongside his public law work, he has a busy immigration, housing, and homelessness practice, as well as a thorough knowledge of welfare benefits and related issues.

Georgie Rea, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Georgie specialises in public law, focusing on immigration, asylum, housing, education, and community care. She has successfully challenged decisions under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 and secured interim accommodation. Georgie has extensive experience with age assessments, representing clients in the High Court and First-tier Tribunal, and has provided training on the subject. Her practice includes urgent and complex judicial reviews as sole counsel and led junior. With specialist knowledge, she effectively applies public law principles across diverse statutory contexts, including immigration, extradition, and community care. Georgie is also highly experienced in housing law, including homelessness, possession, disrepair, and accommodation-related community care issues.

Reserve your online ticket
Please fill in the form below to reserve your online ticket. We will send joining details to everyone who has signed up on the day of the event. Please check your junk inbox if you have not received the link by 11am on Wednesday 18th December. If you have not received the link by 11am on Wednesday 18th December, and it is not in your junk inbox, please email webinars@gclaw.co.uk.