Destitute and in Danger; people made homeless by the Asylum System - New report from JRS UK

Central London - Image ICN/JS

Source: JRS

This report examines the experiences of homelessness among people refused asylum in the context of the cost-of-living crisis and following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on surveys conducted with people refused asylum living across different areas of London and supported by JRS UK, in Autumn 2023. People refused asylum are made destitute by government policy. They have no recourse to public funds, like nearly all asylum seekers, they are banned from working, and all support from the Home Office is cut off.

The research found that rough sleeping is very common among this group, and even those not currently street homeless are perpetually at risk of it. Connected to this, there is a widespread pattern of couch-surfing punctuated by sporadic street homelessness, and generally unstable accommodation situations. People had no choice over where they slept, very little control over their daily lives, and had to accept a roof over their head on whatever terms available.

This situation was very dangerous: Over 20% of respondents did not feel physically safe around people they lived with or around. There are indications of people living in unsafe or exploitative situations in the informal renting market, or of being trapped into abusive relationships.

Joyce, a destitute asylum seeker, said: "For women, it can be even worse because some men take advantage of them because they are vulnerable. They sometimes end up forcing themselves into relationships they don't want to be in so they have a roof over their heads."

The report also highlights that destitution both has a negative impact on both physical and mental health. There were strong indications this was actively dangerous to individuals who already had serious health problems.

One woman who only had one kidney described her fear and helplessness living in a situation where she was disproportionately at risk of infection: "There was a time I think I have an infection…I've got one kidney. I have to be very careful."

People explained that it was nearly impossible to manage long-term health conditions because they were homeless, and this put their health at risk. For example, destitution makes it harder to regulate medication: "I'm sleeping rough in parks, buses, trains. I find it difficult because of my medical issues as I'm on a lot of medication. What about if I lose my medication? I think it may cause some complications because some of the medication [is] not supposed to be missed."

Almost universally, long-term destitution in the context of asylum is very detrimental to mental health. Respondents reported anxiety, chronic sleep deprivation, and suicidal ideation.

Sarah Teather, Director of JRS UK, said: "For years, JRS UK have supported people made destitute by the asylum system - and we see the crushing impact destitution has on them. This new report shares their stories, and the reality it reveals is horrifying. People who sought safety here are plunged into homelessness and danger, left vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening illness. This is not new. Some people we work with have lived like this for decades, as an intentional consequence of successive governments' policies. This must, finally stop. The government has an opportunity to take a new approach. It must now end the Hostile Environment and enforced destitution."

Dr Sophie Cartwright, author of the report, said: "The enforced destitution of people refused asylum is shameful. People who just wanted to be safe are pushed, by government policy, to the very edges of society. They have no safe way to meet their basic needs and no home. They regularly have nowhere they can rest, or go just to feel secure. This is not human. It's not who we are. If any of us were forced to leave our home, we would all want somewhere to be safe. We would all want a chance to rebuild our lives. It's time to make that happen."

Dr Sophie Cartwright will be hosting a webinar to discuss the Report at 17.00 on 18.9.24.

Report and link to webinar: Destitute and in Danger: people made homeless by the asylum system | JRS UK