A local housing association has opened the first centre in Birmingham to help provide a base for advice and support for refugees, demonstrating the potential contribution that social landlords can make in helping with refugee integration.

Elaine Elkington, Acting Strategic Director of Housing & Constituencies for Birmingham City Council officially opened the centre on Monday 30th April with The Right Reverend David Walker, Chair of the Housing Association’s Charitable Trust (hact). Family Housing Association (Birmingham) Ltd is the accountable body for hact’s Accommodate Birmingham project which focuses on the North West part of the city as together with neighbouring Sandwell, this is the main settlement area for newcomers to the West Midlands.

From left: Elaine Elkington, Birmingham City Council, Tim Sewell, Family Housing Association, Heather Petch, hact, The Rt. Revd.David Walker, Bishop of Dudley and Chair of hact.

Located on Piers Road in Handsworth, the centre will be providing free office accommodation for local refugee community organisations, helping to promote and improve community cohesion in an area particularly noted for past difficulties.

Tim Sewell, Chief Executive for Family Housing said “We are extremely pleased to be able to provide the centre for the Accommodate Birmingham project. A stable office base will help about 20 different refugee groups, enabling them to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to deal with issues such as housing, immigration, citizenship and benefits, which in turn will lead to stronger communities and more active citizens.“

David Walker, Chair for hact and Bishop of Dudley added "This is a very positive outcome of the Accommodate Project which hact has run in partnership with a number of Housing Associations across the country. We believe in using our influence and standing within the housing sector to work with partners to bring about innovative solutions, especially for the most disadvantaged groups within our society.  This is one example of the ground breaking work we are doing with refugee and asylum seeker organisations and communities.  It gives me particular pleasure as a faith leader in the West Midlands to see Family Housing Association doing the kind of work that chimes with that concern for the refugee or stranger that lies at the heart of all of our major spiritual and religious traditions."

Elaine Elkington, Acting Strategic Director of Housing & Constituencies for Birmingham City Council concluded ““This centre will provide invaluable support for organisations at the heart of our communities.  It complements work at the Wardlow Road Centre with individuals and their families.  We want our city to be a place where everyone can enjoy quality of life and fulfill their potential.  Good advice networks are essential to this.”