Your support is a lifeline for people seeking a safe haven
Thousands of refugees in the UK face homelessness
People who have been forced from their homes to seek refuge in the UK face an onslaught of legal, social and linguistic barriers. Destitution is common amongst those with uncertain immigration status, or who have not yet had their asylum requests granted, as fear of the hostile environment and lack of access to public funds pushes them further into isolation, poverty, and ill-health. But difficulties don’t end when refugee status is granted. The eviction from temporary accommodation that swiftly follows their approval, coupled with soaring private rental costs, often forces people into unsafe and exploitative sleeping situations, or onto the streets.
And the problem is only getting worse
Constantly shifting laws make it increasingly difficult for charities and support services, let alone individuals, to navigate the UK’s complex and hostile asylum and immigration system. Data from the UK Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, shows that more than 5,000 refugee households were classed as homeless between October and December 2023. Not only is this figure four times that of the same period in 2022, but it falls drastically short of the estimated reality.