More than 60 homelessness and refugee organisations have written to the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and the housing secretary, Steve Reed, urging them to reverse a policy that gives refugees with leave to remain just 28 days to leave Home Office accommodation. The groups, including Crisis, Shelter, St Mungo’s and the Chartered Institute of Housing, warn the change from the previous 56-day period will lead to thousands more refugees sleeping on the streets this winter.
The letter argues that 28 days is insufficient for refugees to find rented housing, secure employment, and arrange benefits, increasing the likelihood of homelessness. It also warns that a rise in rough sleeping will exacerbate community tensions and put individuals at risk from racist and anti-migrant sentiment, which is on the rise.
Bridget Young, director of Naccom, said the move-on period is critical for refugees to find safe housing and support, and extending it had previously made a material difference in avoiding rough sleeping. Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, called the government U-turn 'appalling' and said it would increase homelessness among a vulnerable group.
A government spokesperson said they inherited a broken asylum system and are taking steps to clear the backlog and reduce hotel use, while continuing to work with councils and NGOs to provide assistance to those granted refugee status.
