Strategic integration areas

Refugees and asylum seekers' experiences of housing vary depending on how they arrive in the UK and in the region.  Asylum seekers have been dispersed to most local authority areas in the region on a no-choice basis.  Local authorities have little say over the procurement and management of asylum accommodation, which often results in may asylum seekers facing poor housing standards and/or living in deprived or isolated areas, with little or no access to support services.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a sharp increase in the use of contingency accommodation for asylum seekers in the region, usually hotels, which poses additional challenges for local stakeholders.  The extensive use of such accommodation (also seen in the case of Afghan evacuees), coupled with poor quality housing, lack of stability, distance from services, family and friends, and 'hostile environment' policies, can have significant impacts on integration, particularly on the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers.

Refugees find it hard to access suitable and affordable housing, particularly those recently granted asylum in the UK, who need appropriate support as early as possible when moving on from asylum accommodation.  Single people with no priority find it especially hard, but local authorities often struggle to house families and other priority groups as well.  For newly granted refugees, sourcing furniture and equipment can be a struggle, and they often rely on donations.

Local authorities and/or their partners also struggle to find affordable accommodation that meets the diverse needs of resettled refugee families.  The social housing sector is often unable to plug the gaps, and many refugees and refugee families are accommodated in the private rented sector, where landlords often lack understanding of refugees and their needs.

Housing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is a challenge that LAs face across the region, as increasing numbers of UASC arrive through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS). Despite recent initiatives to recruit specialist foster carers, more work is needed to diversify and increase the availability of family-based placements for UASC.  Currently, a significant proportion of UASC live in independent or semi-independent provision, often based on overly optimistic assessments of their independent living skills.  UASC are particularly vulnerable to trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to being separated from their families, and so often require the additional levels of nurture and support that can be provided in a family setting. Family settings aid integration, with young people having better outcomes due to being immersed in the English language and building connections and networks in settled communities.

Tackling homelessness remains a major priority for the region, despite some excellent work such as hosting schemes.  More needs to be done to help refugees find suitable and affordable accommodation and support those in need, including refused asylum seekers who cannot stay in asylum accommodation and have no recourse to public funds, refugees who are at risk and require emergency accommodation, such as survivors of domestic abuse, and those with special housing requirements.

Once accommodated, refugees may initially need extensive support with managing tenancies, including understanding their rights and obligations, and accessing financial support.  Many refugees and refugee families also need information and guidance about their housing options, accessing social housing, and how to look for a house when they wish to move.

Making neighbourhoods accessible, welcoming, and friendly to refugees and asylum seekers remains a major challenge across the region.  Effective local orientation is essential, as is providing accessible information about local areas, including public spaces such as parks, libraries, and community centres. some refugees and asylum seekers also live a great distance away from support services, and often cannot afford transport to reach them, so meeting their integration needs is a major priority as well.

Housing and environment priorities

• All refugees have access to timely and good quality housing support and advocacy services, including information about housing options, rights and responsibilities

• All asylum accommodation meets local authority standards and local stakeholders can monitor effectively both procurement and compliance

• Refugees and asylum seekers housed in more isolated or remote locations, or in contingency accommodation can access services through various forms of provision, or have support with transport where needed

• Family-based placements are available for UASC, with support for carers

• Refugees and asylum seekers are accommodated in welcoming and friendly neighbourhoods, have access to local information, and can safely use local spaces such as shops, markets, parks and public transport