Rebuilding a home
About Our Guests
Our guests are single adults who have shown incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. They include people who have fled war and political persecution, survivors of trafficking, and other vulnerable migrants. Despite their strength, they are often left in limbo by UK immigration rules, unable to access public funds and lack the right to work.
For many, this uncertainty has meant years of destitution, relying solely on the compassion of churches, charities, and communities to survive. Yet, behind every statistic is a story—a story of courage, hope, and the desire for a stable future.
The Hosting project provides safe and welcoming accommodation for those who have no other options. Staying in the home of a volunteer host offers guests the stability they need to engage with solicitors, access essential healthcare, pursue education, and participate in therapeutic services. Without this vital offer of hospitality, many of our guests would face the harsh reality of rough sleeping or sofa-surfing in unsuitable, dangerous, or exploitative situations.
Our aim is to provide more than a roof over someone’s head; we create a space where dignity, safety, and hope can begin to flourish. However, we are unable to support individuals with high support needs or those facing active addiction challenges, ensuring the safety and suitability of our hosting environment for all involved.
Through this network of care and opportunity, we strive to show our guests they are not alone and that a brighter, more stable future is possible.
“Having an immigration issue significantly increases your chances of homelessness and being homeless/in insecure housing makes it difficult to engage with your immigration issue”
Since August 2020:
- Hosts have welcomed 76 people from 31 countries.
- We have facilitated over 50,000 nights of safe accommodation in homes across London.
- 98% of placements have been sustained, with positive transitions to longer-term accommodation.
- Over 50% of the people we support are women.
- Guests are supported in accessing a range of holistic services, including ESOL classes, volunteering opportunities, wellbeing activities and trips, gym memberships, healthcare, and accredited legal support.
WHat our guests say
“I learn things, my confidence grows. You’ll learn the culture – really I learnt so many things. I’m becoming like family.”
“We have a lot of help from Housing Justice, and here with our host it’s like we’re family”
“Here I learn English, culture. It’s nice. Now I can say that I am lucky – if I wasn’t here, I’d be out on the streets.”
“It wasn’t difficult because they are so kind, smiling and accepting me. My host introduced me to the whole family and gave me my own keys to the house and I was very happy.”
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