The government recently announced it will be reducing the 'move on' period –when refugees are granted their leave to remain and transition from Home Office accommodation – to 28 days.
Since 2023 we have seen a huge increase in refugees sleeping rough after being evicted from asylum-seeker accommodation. We've seen this shift reflected at our shelter, with 68% of guests over the past year being refugees.
Many people are given leave to remain without sufficient time to find work, housing or to integrate into UK society. This means many people are left destitute, having been not allowed to work while seeking asylum.
In December 2024, the 'move on' period was extended to 56 days, which was a step in the right direction. So, to revert back to 28 days is a step backwards. It leaves people who have been through traumatic experiences fleeing violence, conflict and persecution to face stressful, unsafe conditions on the streets. It is especially alarming to put more people at risk of rough sleeping not only as winter is approaching, but also amid the climate of hostility towards migrants.
We echo the call of many other homelessness and migrant organisations across the country urging the Home Office to extend the move-on period and provide more robust support during this transition period to prevent homelessness.
