Migrants and asylum seekers might enter the UK to seek employment or to escape dangers in their own country. Those who are able to enter the UK could face multiple challenges when trying to settle.
Migration levels fluctuate from year to year, but over extended periods, a useful measure of how much immigration a country has experienced is the size of the foreign-born population as a percentage of the population. The UK’s foreign-born population is approximately 14%. This share is similar to high-income countries such as the United States and the Netherlands.
Some of the people coming to the UK are doing so as a last resort. Many put their lives at risk to get here, only to then face barriers to being able to settle down.
In this blog, we will highlight the barriers that migrants and refugees face when looking for a home. We will share data and people’s experiences of homelessness as refugees.
Before we get started
Before we get started
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The environment for migrant homelessness
The environment for migrant homelessness
What do the numbers show us?
It is not clear how many migrants are homeless. However, we use available data to build a picture.
Government Data to November 2023 showed that 15 % of people considered to be statutory homeless are from migrant communities.
Government data on rough sleepers showed a 187% increase in the number of people from non-EU countries in the year to September 2023.
These do not include people considered to be experiencing hidden homelessness. This is likely to be higher among migrant communities who tend to live in overcrowded properties deeming them unsuitable for the number of people who are living there.
Causes of Migrant Homelessness
Migrants and refugees who are at risk of homelessness experience the same challenges as the rest of the UK population so are faced with the structural challenges as others, including a lack of available or suitable properties and increasing rent. They are also likely to do lower-income jobs if they are able to secure employment.
However, these issues are compounded by the hostile environment they are faced with.
The Hostile environment
Migrants and asylum seekers might enter the UK to seek employment or to escape dangers in their own country. Those who are able to enter the UK then have the challenge of setting themselves up, whilst facing multiple challenges:
On entering the UK, only 60% of asylum seekers are offered housing and money to support them whilst their asylum application is processed, according to government figures. However, this is temporary, and once a decision is made on their asylum status, they could be asked to move within 28 days to find elsewhere.
If they succeed in their application, asylum seekers are given refugee status and are entitled to work and receive state benefits. However, this is just the start of their journey to find a home.
No access to public funds
A condition of people applying for a Visa in the UK is no Recourse to Public Funds, including cost-of-living support and childcare support, which could result in them ending up in a cycle of poverty. A report by Compas on migrant destitution, highlighted that over 100,000 are experiencing destitution in the UK, a 136% increase since 2019.
The consequences of No Recourse to Public Funds are devastating. It traps individuals and entire families into cycles of poverty, pushes people into homelessness, and leaves children hungry.
Costly Visa Fees
In October 2023 and February 2024, the Government further increased prices by a huge amount, with a family of four on the ten-year route to settlement now facing a bill of £10,000 every few years just to maintain their visas.
Long routes to settlement
Immigration rules mean people also have to wait years to have a sense of security over their lives. Long and complex routes to settlement, such as the ten-year route, mean people must reapply for leave to remain every two and a half years, each time paying more fees and proving they belong.
Asylum accommodation evictions
Additional analysis by the Refugee Council highlighted that there has been a 239% increase in the number of homeless refugees requiring homelessness support from local authorities after being evicted from Home Office asylum support accommodation in the two years to September 2023.
Right to rent
Under Right to Rent, landlords must check the documentation of prospective tenants before they move in. Landlords can face heavy fines if they are found to be housing anyone who does not possess the correct legal status. This can cause landlords to discriminate against people of particular nationalities, limiting their access to private housing.
The issue is further compounded for those without the right documentation as they are also likely to not be entitled to council housing.
All of these factors contribute to the hostile environment for migration.
Case Study: Osman
Case Study: Osman
Chef and restauranteur, Osman, was granted refugee status after fleeing persecution, he was evicted from temporary accommodation with no home to go to.
Osman’s support worker told us:
“He avoided eye contact, and his responses did not go beyond one or two words. Having gone through the scrutiny of proving the legitimacy of his asylum claim, he was distrustful of those in authority. Our first commitment was to work towards gaining his trust. Despite the many challenges, eventually we were able to obtain his consent, and assist him. He told me that the ability to cook his own meals had a therapeutic effect, by helping him focus attention away from traumatic thoughts.”
Hannah, Osman’s support worker
Hannah informed the local authority of Osman’s impeding eviction and supported his homelessness application. The outcome was successful, and the housing officer was able to conclude that Osman had a priority need. Unfortunately, though the interim accommodation he was placed in was not suitable, as the confined space had a triggering effect on his PTSD.
Thanks to further interventions an offer of social housing was made. The team applied for a Vicar’s Relief Fund grant from St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity. The grant meant that Osman could pay the rent upfront and secure his flat.
He is now in permanent accommodation and appears to be content and genuinely thriving. Osman has the opportunity to do what he loves and share his delicious home cooked food and a punchy blend of spiced coffee with other people.
*Osman’s name has been changed to protect his identity, but his story is real.
