The Home Office has decided to double the grace time for Asylum seekers to move from government accommodation to their residence, a significant change meant to solve the rising problem of refugee homelessness. Those awarded asylum starting on December 9 will have 56 days—up from the present 28 days—to find housing before being sent out.
How Is the Government Dealing With Refugee Homelessness?
Said to be “an interim measure,” the ruling is anticipated to be in place until June 2025, at which point it will be reviewed. The Home Office announced this change via official letters, stating that it was intended to assist local authorities in handling the notable increase in refugee homelessness over the past year.
“Research suggested a significant rise in refugee homelessness,” a top government official underlined, which led to this policy shift. This is a reaction to the increasing strain on local authorities and charities as more refugees—particularly in hotels—are displaced from government-provided housing.
How Much Does Housing Asylum Seekers Cost?
One issue of concern is the mounting financial cost of sheltering asylum seekers. Home Office authorities revealed in October 2022 that the daily price for lodging Asylum seekers in hotels was ÂŁ5.6 million. By September 2023, the cost had exploded to ÂŁ8 million a day. These growing expenses have pushed the government to expedite the asylum process.
Aiming to expedite the process for individuals most likely to be granted asylum, the Asylum System included a fast-track feature for refugees from some countries, including Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Iraq. The intention was to speed claims, lessening the demand for costly hotel stays.
In what ways may the Revised Move-On System affect homelessness?
The Home Office also changed the move-on process in 2023 to relieve some strain on the system. Cut initially to just seven days, several organizations and professionals swiftly cut short the 28 days allotted for refugees to find accommodation. “That change was the trigger for a refugee homelessness issue that has not gone away,” claimed one well-known advocate.
The damage had been done even though this seven-day interval was reversed soon afterwards. Then, there was an increase in the number of migrants getting kicked from hotels without anywhere to go. Although the number of hotels sheltering Asylum seekers has dropped recently, the situation remains appalling.
Why Is Refugee Homelessness Increasing?
The most recent official government statistics reveal a concerning trend: 123,101 households were in temporary accommodation as of June 2024, a 16% rise over last year. Research released last month by the No Accommodation Network—a coalition representing groups assisting asylum seekers—showcased a notable increase in refugee homelessness, especially among those given leave to remain.
From 977 in 2022/23, the paper showed that 1,941 adults granted refuge had become homeless in 2023/24. With the No Accommodation Network classifying the situation as a “refugee homelessness emergency,” this information has further driven calls for immediate action.
How Are Local Charities and Authorities Managing the Crisis?
Local authorities and NGOs have been leading the front stage in the issue, depending more and more on pricey alternatives like hotels and bed and breakfasts to accommodate the rising count of homeless refugees. “The reality is, you can’t learn English, you can’t work, and then you have four weeks to be told to find a job and find a house, and you don’t have access to government or council support because you don’t have a priority need,” one charitable chief executive said in expressing concern.
Further aggravating the problem, she said, refugees—especially in areas like Manchester—have trouble “accessing the private rented market.”
Why isn't the current 28-day housing period sufficient for refugees?
The chronology of refugees’ accommodation findings has long been a source of conflict. The Homelessness Reduction Act (2018) underlines that at least 56 days are required to locate appropriate accommodation under government control. However, the present 28-day term has often proved inadequate, leaving many migrants without choice except to proclaim themselves homeless and ask local authorities for assistance.
The head of the homelessness charity Crisis said, “Refugees are being pushed into homelessness through no fault of their own. “This increase in the grace period marks a quite favourable direction. If we are to guarantee that refugees given settled status avoid homelessness in the future, this should become a permanent change for next year.
How Do Leaders in Charity View the Change?
Charities helping homeless migrants have generally welcomed the lengthening of the grace period. Emphasizing the timing of the revelation, the head executive of London-based charity New Horizons Youth Center said, “This news could not have come at a better time, and crucially it means we won’t see more refugees pushed onto the streets this Christmas.”
The head of Crisis agreed, saying, “This is an encouraging move, but it’s only the beginning. The government has to keep striving to make sure refugees avoid more trauma.
How committed is the government to stopping hotel use for refugees?
A Home Office spokesman responded to the mounting pressure: “We have inherited enormous pressures in the Asylum system and remain committed to ending the use of hotels as we ramp up returns of failed Asylum seekers.” Notwithstanding this dedication, the continuous dependence on hotels and the growing number of migrants without secure accommodation nevertheless provide difficulties.
Although the government’s strategy for asylum housing has long-term sustainability concerns, the most recent move to double the grace period for refugees marks a significant advance.
