London is currently grappling with a pressing issue in its asylum system as the UK anticipates a fresh crisis. By the year’s end, an estimated 50,000 refugees could be facing homelessness. Although the government has made promises to reduce the backlog of “legacy” asylum applications by the end of 2023, it has concurrently scaled back support for refugees who have been granted asylum status.
Under the new approach, some individuals will have a mere seven days to secure their own housing, establish bank accounts, and find employment before they are required to vacate their state-funded accommodations. This predicament is exacerbated by the nationwide housing shortage.
The British Red Cross has noted a staggering 140 percent increase in the number of refugees seeking assistance since June and has started distributing sleeping bags and tents. They warn that if government targets are met, 53,100 refugees could find themselves homeless this winter. Most of these individuals will be single males, as local councils prioritize housing for families.
Alex Fraser, the British Red Cross director for refugee support, emphasized, “Once people attain refugee status, they need more time, not less, to secure housing, employment, or benefits. It takes at least 35 days to begin receiving Universal Credit, and local authorities require a minimum of 56 days to assist in finding accommodation.”
A 20-year-old Sudanese refugee named Hamad shared his experience of sleeping in a London park since his asylum application was approved and he was evicted from his hotel. He expressed his fears and struggles, including resorting to accepting help from a mosque where he had to perform menial tasks in exchange for a place to sleep. Hamad is now receiving support from a charity called Refugees at Home, but he highlighted that others are turning to criminal activities simply to survive, unaware of the available assistance.
Carly Whyborn, the executive director of Refugees at Home, reported a five-fold increase in referrals from refugees seeking housing since the recent policy changes. The situation is deteriorating, and efforts are underway to locate new hosts, especially in major cities, who can offer temporary housing solutions.
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