ASYLUM SEEKERS IN UNITED KINGDOM LEFT HOMELESS:
12 Apr
The number of asylum seekers rendered homeless after being evicted by the Home Office has surged significantly. According to a report, there has been a 239% increase in homelessness among asylum seekers who were evicted from Home Office accommodations, including hotels, over the span of two years. Data analyzed by the Refugee Council reveals that 12,630 households in England faced homelessness due to eviction from asylum accommodations in the two-year period ending in September 2023. Upon completion of the asylum seekers' claims processing by the Home Office, they are evicted from its accommodations, although many are granted refugee status. The report, released on Thursday, notes that while 970 newly granted refugees were facing homelessness in the final quarter of 2021, the figure skyrocketed to 3,290 households in the third quarter of 2023. A significant number of these households include children. The report emphasizes that this sharp rise in homelessness among newly granted refugees is unprecedented and signifies "a moment of significant crisis." Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, expressed concern, stating that the process for refugees granted status sets them up for failure right from the beginning. He highlighted the unrealistic expectation of finding private tenancy within a mere 28 days, especially with no income or savings, contributing to a crisis of homelessness and destitution that could have been avoided. The report advocates for increased support from both the government and local authorities for asylum seekers transitioning to refugee status. Contrary to this, the Home Office announced its plan on Wednesday to close an additional 50 asylum-seeker hotels by the end of the month, following the closure of 100 hotels last month. This move signifies a reduction of 20,000 asylum seekers in hotel accommodations since September 2023.
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