Refugee charities have said thousands of people in the UK could find themselves homeless on the streets this winter after the Home Office quietly reversed its asylum accommodation policy.
The Guardian has learned that ministers plan to halve the time asylum seekers are given to find new accommodation after getting a decision on their case, from 56 to 28 days. Refugee organisations say this is not enough time to find work and a home to rent and will lead to many people pitching tents in the streets.
A letter the Home Office circulated on Wednesday evening indicates that the change has been made as part of the drive to close hotels housing asylum seekers. Ministers are aware that when the move-on period was shorter, rough sleeping among refugees increased.
The letter states that the reason for the change is to “reduce the overall number of asylum hotels in different communities and the number of people staying in them”.
The British Red Cross is among those raising concerns about an increase in rough sleeping among refugees and, along with other refugee NGOs, is calling on the government to rethink.
Alex Fraser, the British Red Cross director of refugee services, said: “Reducing the ‘move-on’ period will increase levels of homelessness and destitution for people granted protection and put additional pressure on local authorities.
“The numbers don’t add up. It takes around 35 days to receive universal credit. Local authorities need 56 days to work with households at risk of homelessness. Giving people only 28 days to find work, housing or support isn’t enough time. Making people destitute ends up costing the taxpayer more money and causing distress and hardship. We urge the government to review this decision.”
The government is grappling with a crisis over the use of hotels for asylum seekers, with dozens of protests staged by anti-migrant groups and individuals in recent weeks.
Ministers are under pressure to expedite hotel closures and have committed to speeding up asylum decision-making, a move welcomed by refugee organisations and by asylum seekers. But if there is not sufficient time for refugees to find work and accommodation, this could increase street homelessness.
Government data for the year ending June 2025 showed that 110,000 people received a decision on their asylum claim, with about half granted leave to remain.
According to the No Accommodation Network (Naccom), which has 140 charity and community group members supporting people facing homelessness in the asylum and immigration system, in 2023-24 homelessness among refugee adults increased by 99% and rough sleeping rose by 125%, particularly affecting new refugees as a result of not having enough time to move on.
In response to these concerns, the Home Office introduced a 56-day move-on pilot scheme in December 2024, which markedly decreased street homelessness among this group. One Red Cross source said that since the 56-day policy was introduced they could not recall a refugee asking for a tent.
Now the government is reverting to giving single adults just 28 days to find new accommodation. It is understood exceptions to the rule will include pregnant women, families and elderly people, who will still have 56 days.
Steve Smith, the chief executive of Care4Calais, said: “Cutting the move-on period back to 28 days isn’t just bad for newly granted refugees, it’s bad for our communities and extremely bad for councils, who are picking up the tab of increasing homelessness.”
Bridget Young, the director of Naccom, said: “We are hugely disappointed by ministers’ decision to revert back to the 28-day notice period for refugees with the fewest options available to them and therefore at most risk of homelessness and destitution. Evidence from Naccom’s frontline members indicates that the 56-day move-on period has been a lifeline for new refugees.
“This decision will put more pressure on local authorities and voluntary sector services, who always have to pick up the pieces to kneejerk government policy change. This change is also being made at a time of increasing risk due to racism and anti-migrant rhetoric, which we worry will only increase the danger people will face on the streets. We urgently ask government to reconsider this decision.”
A government spokesperson said: “This government inherited a broken asylum and immigration system. We are taking practical steps to turn that chaos around – including doubling asylum decision-making to clear the backlog left by the previous government, and reducing the number of people in hotels by 6,000 in the first half of 2025.
“We continue to work with local councils, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure any necessary assistance is provided for those individuals who are granted refugee status.”
