"Tragic yet predictable": refugee households facing homelessness in Oxford

Dozens of refugee households were facing homelessness in Oxford in the last quarter of 2023, new figures show.

The number of asylum seekers living in temporary accommodation has grown massively over the past year across England, as a refugee charity brands the rise "tragic yet predictable".

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Data from the Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities shows 30 households living in supported asylum accommodation in Oxford had received support from the council for being homeless – known as homelessness duties – in the last quarter of 2023.

These included two households on 'prevention' duties – and therefore deemed to be at risk of being made homeless – and 28 receiving relief duties, having already lost their homes.

Across the country, around 5800 refugee households received these duties at the end of 2023 – up from 1,390 a year before.

Enver Solomon, Refugee Council CEO, said the rise in refugee homelessness was the "tragic yet predictable consequence of a dysfunctional system".

Currently, refugees have 28 days to move on to regular benefits once their refugee status is granted, but Mr Solomon says it is "simply unrealistic" to expect someone to secure housing and a stable income in that time.

He said this often meant refugees ended up without a home.

"The day they are granted refugee status should be a day of immense relief and celebration," Mr Solomon said.

"But it’s not, because by giving people such a limited time to start anew, the risk of becoming homeless and destitute is felt immediately."

He urged the Government to work with local authorities to extend the 'move-on' period to 56 days.

A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said councils were seeing growing demand for housing advice and support as the processed a "backlog of claims" from those seeking asylum.

They said housing shortages mean those leaving asylum accommodation will struggle to find homes, and the organisation wants to work with the government to improve the system of housing asylum seekers.

"This requires a national, regional and local approach to solving pressing housing needs across all schemes that welcome new arrivals to the UK," the spokesperson said.

"Councils do not receive funding for people whose asylum claim has been granted and also need urgent confirmation of the funding available for their role in asylum for 2024-25."

A government spokesperson said the refugees' 28 days to move on from asylum accommodation begins when their biometric residence permit is issued.

This could give them longer than 28 days between the refugee status being granted and the end of the 'moving-on' period.

"Support is also available through Migrant Help and their partners, which includes advice on how to access Universal Credit, the labour market and where to get assistance with housing," the spokesperson said.