TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 82

After the family has arrived from Hong Kong, the housing worker needs to discuss with them the housing arrangements that have been made in some cases the arrangements turn out to be unsuitable

-

for example

or

if a couple have been applied for by the husband's relatives in the U.K., but in fact the wife also has relatives in the U.K. living in another area, the couple may prefer to live near her relative even though housing has already been promised in the area where the husband's relative lives.

If a family has several relatives in different parts of the country, they may prefer to settle near a relative who was not the actual 'applicant'.

So far, this has been the case with 5 of the 15 families called forward to Reception.

It is extremely important to take 'the wishes of the new arrival into consideration, even if it involves starting afresh with housing negotiations - if not, the situation will arise where families are unhappily resettled and will move themselves to another area at a later date.

Unce the housing needs have been confirmed with the family, the housing worker confirms their arrival with the relevant housing department, fills in the housing application forms, and arranges for families to have housing interviews where necessary. The worker continues to liaise very closely with the housing department throughout the family's stay in Reception in order to ensure that they stick to whatever agreement was reached.

Resettlement workers

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Once a property has been offered, a resettlement worker takes the family to view it. If they accept it, the worker then makes all arrangements for resettlement - signing the tenancy, claiming repair grants, making DHSS single payments claims for furniture, arranging supplies of gas/electricity etc. Furniture is bought in Derby by the family, and taken to the house. When the property is ready, the worker moves the family down, and spends between one and three days with them, helping with the necessary procedures - signing on, registering with GP, registering at schools and colleges. When this is completed, the family is 'handed over' to the local Vietnamese worker, or occasionally to Social Services. During the resettlement, up to 5 trips between the Reception Centre and the house are made; it is also usually necessary to hire a van to transport furniture and belongings.

Because housing has been negotiated in advance for Hong Kong families and their stay in Reception is short, there is a very fast turnover of families. As a result, the resettlement workers are having to spend alot of their time organising appeals for, and collecting, furniture. Even though most families qualify for a DHSS furniture grant (single payment), the amount given is not adequate to cover all their needs. It is necessary therefore, to use a considerable amount of donated furniture and household equipment. This applies