The housing pathways of Liberian new immigrants in Sheffield

Aims

The report is part of a Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded project to explore the housing experiences of new immigrants during the first five years of settlement in the UK.

Methodology

In depth qualitative interviews were undertaken with 39 new immigrants, including ten Liberian respondents: six women and four men aged between 20 and 38 years old, all had arrived as refugees under the Gateway Protection Programme.

Key issues

The package of rights and opportunities associated with being a refugee under the UN Gateway Protection Programme was an important determinant of the arrival experiences of Liberian new immigrants. All of those who took part had decided to remain in Sheffield. Liberian refugees had a short housing pathway into permanent housing. Family breakdown is a major risk to residential security. Finding accommodation was the first priority rather than place of residence. Liberian respondents differed from Somali and Pakistani new immigrants in terms of views of living in particular neighbourhoods.