London councils saw a 234% rise in people rough sleeping, read how we are advocating for change to ensure refugees can be safe.
One of the biggest issues facing refugees is the cost of homes in the private rental sector. Unable to work whilst seeking asylum, most refugees can’t afford the deposit that many landlords demand.
Since 2012, the Refugee Council’s Private Rented Scheme has helped refugees overcome this barrier, enabling hundreds of people to secure long-term tenancies. But sadly, we cannot help all those in need.
We are advocating for change to ensure refugees can be safe
In the Keys to the City report we call on the Mayor of London and the Government to:
• Establish a fund that would cover the cost of tenancy deposits for new refugees, so no one is denied a roof over their heads.
• Extend the move-on period to at least 56 days, in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act and the application for Universal Credit.
• List the Home Office as a body with a legal duty to refer people at risk of homelessness to local authorities. This would allow local authorities to better plan the support they’ll need to provide.
186
people we supported, in 2023, with finding a safe place to live.1,815
people we supported, in 2023, living in hotels with an emergency hardship fund, asylum advice, therapy and access to local services such as volunteering opportunities.We must see the Government put in place a plan to work with local authorities and the voluntary sector to provide information and effectively manage the move-on process as people move from the Home Office’s asylum support system to other forms of support.
Read our Keys to the City Report here.
