Accommodating ‘others’?: housing dispersed, forced migrants in the UK

Abstract

Utilising insights from a qualitative study in the city of Leeds (UK), this paper considers issues related to the housing of dispersed forced migrants. The term ‘dispersed forced migrants’ is used here as a general label to include four groups of international migrants (i.e. refugees, asylum seekers, those with humanitarian protection status and failed asylum seekers) who have previously been dispersed, on a no choice basis, to a variety of locations across the UK under the requirements of the Immigration and Asylum Act (1999). The tiering of housing entitlement that exists within the generic population of dispersed forced migrants (a consequence of the particular socio‐legal status assigned to individuals), and its role in rendering migrants susceptible to homelessness is outlined. The adequacy/standard of accommodation made available to forced migrants is also discussed. It is concluded that current arrangements fail to meet the basic housing needs of many forced migrants. Any future improvement in this situation will require a significant shift in government policy.

Keywords:

• asylum seekers
• refugees
• housing
• welfare rights

Acknowledgement

The research discussed here was funded by ESRC grant number RES‐000‐22‐0377.

Notes

1. Although they are not the focus of discussions here it is recognised that others, e.g. those displaced by development projects and people trafficked illegally for exploitative purposes, are also forced migrants (see Castles 2003).

2. In April 2007, following reorganisation within the Home Office, the Borders and Immigration Agency assumed responsibility for asylum support.

3. Originally defined as within 48 hours of entering the UK, subsequently extended to 72 hours.

4. Clause 37 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act (2006).

5. Now renamed the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Migration Partnership.

6. In order to ensure respondents' anonymity, personal information concerning the gender, nationality, etc. of each forced migrant is omitted.

7. In Glasgow, West London, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.

8. Exceptional leave to remain has now been replaced by Humanitarian Protection status.