Homeward bound - the housing transitions of refugees
This study focused specifically on refugees as one subset of Third Country Nationals and examines the housing pathways and outcomes of refugees via different routes. The pathways of those subject to organised refugee resettlement programmes (for example, Kosovan HEP, Mandate, Gateway, the vulnerable persons resettlement scheme (VPRS) and the vulnerable children resettlement scheme (VCRS)), have been compared to those experienced by refugees who arrived as spontaneous asylum seekers.
From January to December 2023, the evidence base of the project was extended to include refugees and third country nationals from Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Ukraine, navigating their housing pathways, their housing aspirations and their engagement with their local communities.
Right Here
This short film about refugee integration and housing, includes the voices of refugees who settled in the UK through various different routes. This film is available below and is also available on Vimeo.
Improving housing outcomes for refugees: A toolkit
This toolkit builds on existing good practice guides, research and evidence. Many different individuals and organisations have been consulted in its development including those involved in delivering housing, housing-related services and supporting refugees and diverse communities, as well as refugees themselves. It provides a suite of resources including:
- A checklist for engagement with and for refugees about their housing circumstances
- Information on key issues
- A snapshot of key policies
- Good practice examples
- Links to useful resources
Interventions to support positive housing outcomes for refugees: a research digest
This research digest has been developed to summarise the available evidence on what is known about what works in improving housing outcomes for refugees. It is aimed at those in leadership and management roles in the housing and social welfare sectors. It should also be of interest to leaders and elected members with responsibility for housing, neighbourhoods and equalities and to those working in the voluntary and community sector who play a foundational role in supporting refugees in exile.
Interventions to support positive housing outcomes for refugees: a research digest
Unlocking the housing journey: refugees' resilience and challenges revealed
Discover the remarkable resilience and challenges faced by refugees in their housing journey on this captivating episode of Under One Roof, a series of Healthy Housing Podcasts by the University of Huddersfield.
Unlocking the housing journey: refugees' resilience and challenges revealed
In this podcast, explore the research project, "Homeward bound – the housing transitions of refugees," and uncover the profound impact of housing on the lives of those seeking sanctuary. Expert guests, including Prof Phil Brown, Akosiwa Agbokou, Bridget Young, and, Dr Santokh Gill share valuable insights and reflections on the experiences of refugees navigating the UK housing system. From the housing crisis to support systems, mental health implications, and the need for inclusive policies, this episode offers a deep dive into a crucial aspect of our society often overlooked. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and how we can collectively work towards creating a more compassionate and supportive environment for all.
Please note that this free podcast opens on Spotify.
The housing experiences of refugees
Explore the Homeward Bound project in more detail and uncover the impact on the lives of those seeking sanctuary, in this episode of Under One Roof, a series of Healthy Housing Podcasts by the University of Huddersfield.
The housing experiences of refugees
In this podcast, Dr Tom Simcock and Dr Santokh Gill explore the housing experiences of refugees, talking about the research Santokh has been involved in, some of the challenges and hardships faced by refugees, and the solutions that can help pave the way for a more secure and welcoming home for all.
Please note that this free podcast opens on Spotify.
Homelessness, refugees and resettlement
This paper looks at the different routes refugees have available to them to enter the UK and describes how these routes relate to their housing circumstances and the resettlement support in which they do, and do not receive. It also looks at the known relationship between homelessness and refugee status, homelessness risk factors, and then goes on to review the known and emerging outcomes from refugee resettlement programmes.
Refugee housing pathways: the importance of information and support
In this short video, Community Researcher Akosiwa shares the story of a research participant who experienced homelessness after being awarded refugee status.
Homeward Bound - the housing transitions of refugees
Providing an in-depth narrative analysis of refugees’ accommodation experiences and the wider context in which these experiences are played out, 'Homeward Bound: the housing transitions of refugees' will be published as a book later this year.
Homeward bound: an interactive documentary
In this interactive documentary, you can navigate a number of virtual spaces that have been constructed with furniture and objects from the homes of refugees living in the Yorkshire and Humber region whom we visited for our research.
Transitions - a story of refugee lives
In this comic, you can read about people's experiences after being granted refugee status. The stories presented in this comic reflect the experiences the researchers heard from refugees during the study. The events are real events but drawn from a number of different refugee participants.
Housing and refugee policy briefing
Based on an analysis of existing evidence and new primary research this policy briefing looks at how the housing system in the United Kingdom impacts the lives of refugees. It calls for urgent action to review how policy and practice at all levels can be shaped to deliver better outcomes for refugees. It is aimed at those in government, the public sector, the voluntary and community sector and activists.
The impact of housing on refugees
These resources summarise the available evidence on what is known of the impact of housing on refugees with relevance to the United Kingdom (UK) context. The digest is aimed at those in leadership and management roles in the housing and social welfare sectors, particularly those in local authorities and housing organisations. It should also be of interest to leaders and elected members with responsibility for housing, neighbourhoods and equalities.
The impact of housing on refugees: an evidence synthesis
Philip Brown, Santokh Gill and Jamie P. Halsall
University of Huddersfield
December 2022 and 2023
