A teenage refugee spent the winter sleeping rough in London after being evicted from Home Office accommodation under unpublished 'secret' rules, sparking condemnation from the shadow home secretary, Wes Streeting. The 19-year-old Eritrean, granted refugee status last August, was given just 28 days to leave his hotel but received no help from the local council despite repeated requests.
He was forced to sleep under a bush near Willesden Junction station, with only his jacket for warmth, and was assaulted twice in separate incidents now being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. The case emerged during a High Court challenge brought by five refugees at risk of homelessness due to the 28-day move-on period, which has now been settled with strengthened protections.
The court heard that the Home Office contractor Migrant Help used internal rules that ignored the department's discretion to extend accommodation for those at imminent risk of rough sleeping. In written defences, the Home Office cited a 'febrile political context' and a desire to avoid opening more hotels, preparing for a 'crisis point' in asylum accommodation.
Streeting said: 'It is immoral to evict vulnerable young refugees onto the streets, especially in winter. The Home Office must end these secret rules and ensure no one granted asylum is left homeless.' A court order now requires the Home Office to inform refugees in writing of the discretion to extend accommodation when issuing eviction letters.
A government spokesperson said: 'Our approach is unchanged. For individuals granted leave to remain, we are committed to successfully transitioning them from asylum accommodation, whilst working with local government to mitigate the risk of homelessness.' The teenage refugee has since secured accommodation.
