Al-Ameri v Kensington & Chelsea RLBC; and Osmani v Harrow LBC
The Al-Ameri and Osmani families sought asylum in the UK. They were dispersed by NASS to accommodation in Glasgow for many months. But when their asylum claims succeeded, accommodation was withdrawn and they were homeless.

They made housing applications to London boroughs. The two councils accepted the families were unintentionally homeless and in priority need. But the two councils asked Glasgow City Council to accommodate, on the basis that both families had established a "local connection" by residence. Glasgow refused, but neither family wished to return to Glasgow in any case.

The question for the Court of Appeal was whether the test for local connection – "a connection because he was in the past normally resident there and that residence was of his own choice" – was met.

By a 2:1 majority the court decided that because a NASS claimant was allocated accommodation on a "no choice" basis, they could not establish a local connection by residence. The London councils had to accommodate.

Source

Housing Today

Reference

Councils in dispersal areas may be relieved, but London councils may see an increase in their responsibility for recognised refugees wanting to settle in the capital. An appeal to the House of Lords will be pursued.