Norwich sees 86pc rise in homeless refugees, new study finds

A Freedom of Information request submitted by refugee charity Care4Calais found 54 'new refugees' - people who have recently been granted refugee or Humanitarian Protection status - presented as homeless in the first 10 months of 2023 after their asylum claim was granted.

Care4Calais warned the figure could be just the tip of the iceberg (Image: Newsquest)

The figure - which was supplied by Norwich City Council - represents an 86pc increase 29 homeless presentations in the whole of 2022.

Care4Calais blasted a recent change in policy from the Home Office which has forced some refugees to be evicted before even receiving their residence cards. 

Traditionally, the 28 day move-on period - a time limit for asylum seekers to move on from asylum support and housing to their own accommodation, mainstream benefits or employment - would start when the person received their residence card.

But a recent change in government policy has seen the move-on period instead start from the date of the decision to grant refugee status to an asylum seeker.

The figures come from an FOI submitted by Care4Calais

Steve Smith, chief executive of Care4Calais, said: "Our research is symbolic of the UK’s broken asylum system.

"No one wants to see people who come here for sanctuary, left destitute on our streets, but that is what is happening under this Government.

"The burden for this rising crisis should not fall on charities and overstretched local authorities like Norwich City Council.

"We need the Government to step up, extend the move-on period and remove the barriers - such as the ban on asylum seekers working -  that prevent ‘new refugees’ from being able to secure safe housing.

"However, we must immediately see the Home Office introduce an immediate ban on winter evictions otherwise we will see refugees on the streets of Norwich this Christmas."

Care4Calais also warned the 86pc increase in Norwich may only be the tip of the iceberg, with the city council estimating a further wave of asylum grants before the end of 2023 potentially pushing this number up from 54 to 112.

Gee Cook, chief executive at New Routes Integration (Image: Gee Cook)

Gee Cook, chief executive of New Routes Integration - a local organisation which supports refugees and migrants - warned winter could "further exacerbate" these concerns.

“At a time which should be joyful, especially for our participants receiving their Leave to Remain; we are concerned about our participants who are now becoming homeless, or are at risk of homelessness.  We are hearing their heart-breaking stories on a daily basis.

"Alongside other local charities we are liaising with the relevant authorities to try to ensure that the most vulnerable in society will be supported during their transition."

Maria Baranowski, director of homeless services at St Martins, added: "This change in government policy is really problematic and concerning.

"St Martins is working with Norwich City Council to explore how we can support the local authority to respond to this issue and prevent incidents of rough sleeping where possible."

Cllr Beth Jones, portfolio holder for housing and deputy leader at Norwich City Council (Image: Beth Jones)

The city council confirmed it is currently working with support services 'Reed in Partnership', Migrant Help and the People From Abroad Team at Norfolk County Council to mitigate the risks of refugees becoming homeless at the end of their grace period.

Beth Jones, deputy leader at Norwich City Council and cabinet member responsible for housing said: “Demand for homelessness assistance has never been greater and local authority homelessness departments are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of significantly increased demand due to the cost-of-living crises and declining supply, creating enormous pressures. 

"We acknowledge that the number of non-UK nationals, particularly refugees, seeking to access to our services is likely to increase and are modifying our approach in response.“