28 days later and thousands of refugees risk homelessness

Dozens of charities are urging the government to reverse an eviction policy that could leave thousands more refugees on the streets.

Over 60 homelessness and asylum seeker organisations – including Shelter, Crisis, the Chartered Institute of Housing and Naccom – have written to the home secretary and the housing secretary, asking them to revoke a new policy that halves the length of time asylum seekers have to leave government-provided accommodation.

Currently, refugees have 56 days to find alternative housing, however the new rule has cut it to 28 days.

Campaigners said 28 days is nowhere near enough time for individuals to sort a job, benefits or sign an agreement for a rented property and will ultimately undermine the government’s strategy to end homelessness.

The letter reads: ‘The additional pressure for local councils comes as the number of people living in temporary accommodation is at an all-time high, and a lack of alternatives will result in further use of expensive, nightly, paid options of those eligible.

‘Furthermore, to cause higher rates of homelessness among newly recognised refugees at a time when racist and anti-migrant sentiment is on the rise will put individuals at even greater risk of harm on the streets and exacerbate community tensions.’

News of the movement comes following new government figures which show councils across England spent £2.8bn on temporary accommodation in 2024/25 – a 25% increase on the previous year.

Chief Executive of Homeless Link, Rick Henderson, said his organisation were ‘appalled’ at the decision to halve the amount of time refugees have to find somewhere to live and said the government need to change this ASAP.

‘A shorter move-on period is guaranteed to increase rough sleeping and homelessness among an extremely vulnerable group of people,’ Rick explained. ‘That 64 organisations working directly on these issues oppose the reversal on 56 days is testament to the fact that the longer move-on period has been effective in ensuring refugees receive critical support to find accommodation and prevent destitution.

‘Changing this now due to public pressure and anti-migrant rhetoric is a huge mistake that will not appease its critics and will only put individuals at risk of harm on the streets while adding to the challenges and expenses faced by overstretched homelessness services and local authorities.’

Photo by Milan Cobanov via UnSplash 

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