Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 33

Commentary on Sections

Schedule 9

Section 100: Local authority and other assistance for Secretary of State

310. The Secretary of State will be looking to the providers of social housing (essentially local authorities, registered social landlords and housing associations) for assistance in the provision and management of housing accommodation, and possibly in the provision of essential living needs where these are directly associated with the provision of accommodation. This section will require such landlords to co-operate with the Secretary of State when he makes such a request, so far as is reasonable in the circumstances. What is reasonable would depend on the particular case. It would be reasonable for a landlord to co-operate providing he had suitable spare accommodation which he could put at the Secretary of State’s disposal in return for appropriate reimbursement; it would not be reasonable to expect a housing association or registered social landlord to co-operate if this were in conflict with its constitution or articles of association.

311. Section 100 also requires a local authority to provide the Secretary of State with such information about their housing stock as he requests. Collecting such information would help the Secretary of State to decide which landlords to seek assistance from; or it might assist in deciding whether to designate a “reception zone” under section 101.