Surge in Emergency Housing Requests for Homeless Refugees in 2024

Recent figures indicate a significant rise in emergency housing requests from refugees in the UK, with nearly 100 councils reporting that the number of requests in the first three quarters of 2024 exceeded those in the entirety of 2023. Data provided by the charity Care4Calais reveals an alarming trend, as local authorities have become increasingly overwhelmed by the need for housing support amid rising evictions from government-funded shelters.

In 2023, approximately 19,472 migrants sought assistance for housing after being evicted from Home Office accommodation, according to data collected from 278 councils. By September 2024, this number had already reached 18,002, suggesting that the demand for housing solutions for homeless migrants will outpace last year's figures. Over a third of the councils surveyed noted a rise in homelessness among refugees, while many others reported matching 2023's housing requests.

Government statistics further highlight the challenges faced, showing a staggering 251% increase in the number of individuals leaving asylum accommodations and becoming homeless. The financial year 2023/24 witnessed 13,520 households in need of support compared to only 3,850 the previous year. Though hotel housing for asylum seekers has decreased since September 2023, the overall number of asylum seekers supported by the Home Office remains high, posing ongoing challenges for local councils.

One key factor in this crisis is the rapid decision-making by the Home Office on asylum applications, leading to a wave of evictions. The previous 28-day "move-on" period for newly recognized refugees has faced criticism as too short for securing stable housing, prompting the government to extend it to 56 days starting December 2024. This temporary measure seeks to provide additional time for individuals to transition successfully to independent housing.

Despite similarities in the number of asylum seekers claiming refuge in 2024 compared to the prior year, the rising number of refugees and the backdrop of increasing small boat arrivals add to the complexities of managing housing needs. Currently, refugees represent about 11% of total immigration to the UK, which ranks 19th in asylum seeker intake per population among European nations.

Care4Calais CEO Steve Smith emphasized the urgent need for systemic changes to address this growing crisis and called for expanded support for newly recognized refugees to prevent homelessness. Meanwhile, local government representatives have acknowledged the pressures on councils and welcomed the government’s decision to extend the move-on period as a positive step. They expect that the significant funding allocated to councils for homelessness prevention in the upcoming year will help alleviate some of these mounting pressures.