Refugee Homelessness Soars in England
LONDON — A staggering increase in refugee households facing homelessness has been reported in England, with more than 5,000 households classified as homeless between October and December 2023. This number is four times higher than during the same period in 2022.
Struggling After Gaining Asylum
These refugees found themselves without a place to live after receiving asylum, which meant they were no longer eligible for Home Office accommodation. The Refugee Council charity expressed concerns that these individuals were being “set up to fail” and emphasized the need for more time to secure housing.
Rise in Homeless Refugee Households
According to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), local councils in England accepted 9,580 households in 2023 as needing assistance after becoming homeless due to leaving asylum accommodation. This is a significant increase from 3,340 households in 2022, with the majority of cases occurring in the latter half of the year.
Challenges Faced by Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers who are granted refugee status are entitled to work and receive state benefits, but they lose their right to stay in Home Office accommodation for asylum seekers. They are given only 28 days to find alternative housing, after which councils are responsible for their housing needs if they are unable to secure accommodation.
Call for Extended Moving-On Period
The Refugee Council’s chief executive, Enver Solomon, criticized the short timeframe given to refugees to find housing and employment, calling it “unrealistic” and leading to destitution and homelessness. Solomon urged for the moving-on period to be extended to prevent newly recognized refugees from facing homelessness.
Government Response and Support
The government spokesperson highlighted the support available through organizations like Migrant Help and emphasized the importance of providing individuals with the necessary assistance following an asylum decision. Efforts are being made to ensure that asylum seekers have the support they need and to help local authorities plan better as the number of asylum seekers awaiting decisions decreases.
Source: BBC
