Teen Refugee Left Homeless After Secret Home Office Eviction Rule
A teenage refugee has endured a harsh winter sleeping rough on London streets, facing two assaults, after being evicted from Home Office accommodation under what have been described as "secret" and unpublished rules. The 19-year-old Eritrean, who fled forced labour in Libya before being granted refugee status in August, was given just 28 days to leave his hotel without adequate notice of available extensions.
High Court Challenge Reveals Systemic Failures
The case emerged during a high court challenge brought by five refugees at risk of street homelessness due to the Home Office's 28-day move-on period. Current regulations allow for discretion to extend accommodation for those, like the teenager, who have tried and failed to find housing and face imminent rough sleeping. However, internal rules used by Home Office contractor Migrant Help failed to account for this discretion, leading to unlawful evictions.
In written defences, the Home Office cited operating in a "febrile political context," aiming to avert opening more hotels and preparing for a "crisis point" in asylum accommodation. The high court challenge has now been settled, with protections strengthened for vulnerable refugees.
A Personal Ordeal of Homelessness and Assault
The teenager was evicted from his Home Office hotel onto the streets with no sleeping bag or blanket, relying solely on his jacket for warmth. He found shelter under a bush near Willesden Junction station, where he spent the winter. During this time, he was assaulted on two occasions, both incidents currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
"I'm alone in this world," he told the Guardian. "I have no brother, no sister, no mother. My most important thing is my safety. I've given up on the whole world." Despite repeatedly asking a north London council for housing help after his eviction notice, he was refused assistance.
Legal Settlement Forces Policy Change
A court order now requires the Home Office to inform refugees in writing upon eviction that discretion exists to extend accommodation if they face street homelessness. The order noted that "inaccurate statements verified by statements of truth were made ... denying the existence or application of unpublished guidance concerning extensions and reinstatements of asylum support."
Ahmed Aydeed, a lawyer at Deighton Pierce Glynn representing the refugees, stated: "We're grateful the home secretary will finally stop behaving like a rogue landlord evicting people on short notice into street homelessness. This was cruel, irresponsible and wasted taxpayers' money." The teenager has now secured accommodation.
Government and Contractor Responses
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." Home Office sources indicated guidance has been strengthened to support caseworkers.
A Migrant Help spokesperson clarified: "All guidance used for delivering Migrant Help's services ... is approved by the Home Office. Migrant Help cannot and does not make decisions on asylum support or accommodation." This case highlights ongoing tensions as the Home Office aims to empty asylum hotels by the end of the parliamentary term, with an average of 1,100 asylum seekers leaving hotels weekly after being granted leave to remain.
