Refugee Lodgings is a response to the rise in newly recognised refugees being forced into homelessness and rough-sleeping following an eviction from Home Office Accommodation.
Facts about Refugees and Homelessness
846 NEWLY GRANTED REFUGEES PRESENTED HOMELESS IN LONDON IN OCTOBER 2023. THIS WAS A 36% INCREASE FROM SEPTEMBER 2023
____________________________________________________________________
75% OF DECISIONS MADE BY THE HOME OFFICE IN 2023 RECORDED UP TO SEPTEMBER WERE POSITIVE GRANTS OF PROTECTION WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL IS RECOGNISED AS HAVING FLED VIOLENCE OR PERSECUTION
____________________________________________________________________
NEWLY GRANTED REFUGEES HAVE 28 DAYS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION AND FIND EMPLOYMENT OR ACCESS BENEFITS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES FINANCIALLY AFTER RECIEVING THEIR BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE PERMIT (BRP) CARD*
*In practice, some people are given as little as 7 days notice to leave their Asylum Accommodation, making it impossible to find a job and a home in this time
See our Refugee Lodgings infographic here: Refugee Lodgings Project Background and Goals
BARRIERS FACED BY NEWLY GRANTED REFUGEES IN ACCESSING HOUSING
- LANGUAGE
- CULTURAL NEEDS
- SOCIAL ISOLATION
- NO FINANCIAL OR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY IN THE UK (HAVING NO RIGHT TO WORK AS AN ASYLUM SEEKER) IMPACTING RENTING ELIGIBILITY
Housing Justice believes that a lodging scheme gives refugees the time, space and stability to adapt and adjust to life in the UK. It provides a safety net against homelessness and rough sleeping. With support from our team, refugees in lodging placements can access support and services to overcome barriers faced in housing. Refugee Lodgings will help people build experience to then move into the private rental market after a 6 month placement.
___________________________________________________________
“Reverting back to the old 28-day move-on is not enough. As a minimum, the move-on period should be aligned with the Homelessness Act, which legislates for 56 days’ notice. However, if we want to avoid refugees being left destitute on our streets this winter, the most pressing action we need is a complete ban on Home Office winter evictions, covering the next few months, not just the few days between Christmas and New Year when the Home Office is closed.”
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Clais
Useful Links:
Home Office U-turns on plan to cut asylum backlog – The Big Issue
Inside Housing – News – Number of refugees sleeping rough in London up by 234%
;
