Working to Prevent Homelessness for Newly-Recognised Refugees
The situation
Since Autumn 2023, volunteers and employees at Refugees Welcome North Somerset have been working around the clock to provide housing support to a regular stream of individuals who have received their refugee status in the region.
We have supported people to reconnect with their family links in the UK, helped to arrange private tenancies in the local area, and in emergency situations, crowdfunded to pay for short-term guest rooms so that we can support people to take the first step towards their new lives in North Somerset.
Working with Housing Team at North Somerset Council, we are making immediate referrals for individuals to the Council Homeless Prevention team, so that they can be assessed as soon as possible. During the first two months from becoming a recognised refugee, we are helping to ensure that individuals understand the statutory advice and guidance they are given to get them into medium and long-term tenancies, privately or in social housing.
Where emergency housing can be offered by local authority, we are extremely grateful, given the vulnerability and challenges which newly recognised refugees face when starting their new life lives in an unfamiliar, yet welcoming society.
The challenge
The generosity and determination of local people has been critical over winter to avoid newly recognised refugees, without accommodation options, from rough sleeping, however as we move into the spring and summer, the provision of paid-for short term guest rooms by RWNS will not be continuing.
As such, we will be working closely with the North Somerset Council Lettings and Homeless Prevention teams to secure housing for newly-recognised refugees during their 28-day notice period in initial asylum accommodation. Where this has not been possible we are advocating for the extension of IA / NASS asylum accommodation until housing can be secured, sharing our evidence of potential rough sleeping and support figures with larger organisations and charities that can lobby on our behalf
The risk of homelessness is real and severe, yet thanks to the help of our determined supporters, no rough sleeping reports have yet been recorded in North Somerset. To ensure this remains the cases we will:
- Make sure individuals with new status are supported immediately to set up bank accounts and benefits claims, register with the DWP, and actively looking for accommodation during their notice period as asylum accommodation
- Advocate nationally for changed asylum accommodation legislation regarding short notice to vacate periods, which directly increase the possibility and likelihood of refugee rough sleeping cases, and advocate locally for housing associations and private landlords to be open-minded about offering tenancies to newly-recognised refugees who are keen to work and integrate into UK society. With longer NTV periods, we can work with individual to find work and fully restart their lives.
To help prevent any cases of rough sleeping amongst newly recognised refugees, you can support through:
- Providing a short-term spare room
- Register to host with Refugees at Home, or contact housing@rwns.org.uk to chat through our hosting policy and procedures
- Volunteer with us, make referrals and support calls to private lettings agents. Please complete an application form and send it to volunteer.coordinator@rwns.org.uk
- Write to your local MP. Please ask them to work with us to find a more humane and sustainable solution
- Donate to our emergency fund. Help to cover short term housing costs as a last resort by contributing to the Crowdfunder