Refugee Housing Support UK - Accommodation and Help

Refugees in the UK may be able to access council homelessness assistance, social housing, Universal Credit and private rented accommodation. If you have recently received refugee status, acting quickly is particularly important because asylum accommodation and support can end shortly after your status is granted.

What Housing Support Can Refugees Get in the UK?

Once refugee status has been granted, a person may become eligible for mainstream benefits and housing assistance, subject to the usual eligibility rules.

In England, people whose refugee status has been recognised and who have permission to remain can be eligible for homelessness assistance.

Possible housing routes include:

• Council homelessness assistance

• Social housing

• Private rented accommodation

• Supported accommodation

• Temporary accommodation where the relevant conditions are met

• Housing-related financial support

The exact assistance available depends on your circumstances, immigration status, income, household and housing needs.

Act Quickly After Receiving Refugee Status

One of the most important steps is to start looking for accommodation as soon as you receive your refugee decision.

Asylum accommodation and support normally ends shortly after refugee status is granted. Current government guidance advises people who receive refugee status to apply for benefits and find somewhere to live as soon as possible.

Do not wait until your asylum accommodation is about to end before approaching the council.

If you know your accommodation is ending, contact your local housing or homelessness service and explain that you are at risk of homelessness.

Can a Refugee Apply to the Council for Housing Help?

Yes, a recognised refugee with the relevant permission to remain can be eligible for homelessness assistance in England, although the council still has to assess the person's circumstances under homelessness legislation.

The council may assess:

• Whether you are homeless or threatened with homelessness

• Your immigration and eligibility status

• Whether you have a priority need

• Whether you have a local connection

• What caused your homelessness

• Whether accommodation can be secured to prevent or relieve homelessness

If you are already homeless or expect to lose your accommodation soon, contact the council rather than waiting until you have nowhere to stay.

What If You Are Leaving Asylum Accommodation?

If you have been granted refugee status while living in asylum accommodation, you will normally receive a notice telling you when your asylum support and accommodation will end.

The exact move-out date is important, so keep the Home Office correspondence and show it to the council when requesting housing assistance.

You may also be able to receive move-on support to help you transition from asylum accommodation into mainstream housing and services.

Can Refugees Get Social Housing?

Refugees can potentially qualify for social housing, subject to the applicable eligibility and allocation rules.

However, social housing is in very high demand, particularly in London. Being eligible does not necessarily mean that a council property will be available immediately.

For someone who has recently received refugee status and is facing the end of asylum accommodation, private renting may therefore need to be considered alongside an application for social housing.

Private Renting May Be the Faster Option

Private rented accommodation can provide an alternative route to stable housing.

Depending on your circumstances, you could look for:

• A room in a shared property

• A studio

• A one-bedroom flat

• A larger property for a family

• Supported accommodation

• Properties outside central London where rents may be lower

Landlords and letting agents may ask for evidence of income, identification, immigration status, references and the ability to pay the rent.

If you have recently received refugee status and are starting work or claiming benefits, prepare your documentation before beginning your property search.

What About Universal Credit?

After refugee status is granted, eligible refugees can apply for mainstream benefits such as Universal Credit.

Government guidance recommends applying for benefits promptly after receiving refugee status because asylum support will end.

If you are renting privately, housing support through benefits may help with some housing costs where you meet the relevant requirements.

It is important to understand your expected benefit income and other household income before committing to a tenancy.

What If You Are Already Homeless?

If you have nowhere to live, approach your local council's homelessness service immediately.

In England, councils must provide homelessness advice and assistance, and the type of housing support available depends on eligibility, priority need and the circumstances that caused the homelessness.

Tell the council clearly that:

• You have refugee status

• Your asylum accommodation has ended or is ending

• You have nowhere suitable to live

• You have any children or dependants

• You have any medical or support needs

• You have evidence of your immigration status

If you are sleeping rough or have nowhere safe to stay that night, explain this clearly and ask about emergency accommodation.

Keep Your Important Documents Together

When approaching a council or looking for private accommodation, keep your documents organised.

These may include:

• Refugee status or Home Office decision letter

• eVisa or immigration status evidence

• National Insurance details

• Universal Credit information

• Bank statements

• Proof of income

• Previous accommodation information

• Home Office move-out correspondence

• Medical evidence where relevant

• Documents relating to children or dependants

Having these documents available can make it easier to demonstrate your circumstances to housing providers and support organisations.

What If You Have Special Housing Needs?

Tell the council if you have medical conditions, disabilities, children, pregnancy or other circumstances that affect the type of accommodation you need.

Government guidance requires councils to consider eligibility and individual circumstances when dealing with homelessness applications.

Evidence from a GP, hospital, support worker or other professional may be useful where your circumstances affect your housing needs.

London Can Be Particularly Difficult

London has extremely high demand for both social and private rented accommodation.

If you are a refugee looking for housing in London, do not restrict your search to one neighbourhood if you need accommodation quickly.

You may need to consider outer London boroughs, shared accommodation or areas outside London where housing costs are more manageable.

Your council may also consider whether accommodation in another area is suitable depending on your circumstances.

Fraser Bond Property Support

Fraser Bond provides residential lettings, property management, property consultancy, refurbishment and wider property services across London and the UK.

For people moving from asylum accommodation or temporary housing into the private rental market, understanding rental prices, tenancy requirements, property condition and available accommodation can be important when planning the move.

For landlords and property owners, Fraser Bond also provides practical support with lettings, maintenance, refurbishment and ongoing property management.

Do Not Wait Until Your Accommodation Ends

If you have recently been granted refugee status, housing should be one of your immediate priorities.

Start your benefit application, contact your local council, seek move-on support and begin looking at suitable private or social housing options as early as possible.

If your asylum accommodation is ending and you have nowhere else to live, tell the council that you are at risk of homelessness. Refugee status can give you access to housing assistance, but you still need to go through the relevant assessment process.

Planning the move early can make the difference between moving directly into stable accommodation and facing an avoidable housing emergency.