'One in four' seeking shelter are refugees

A new report, seen by the Independent, has revealed that almost a quarter of those seeking shelter with key homelessness agencies in Manchester, London and Leicester are refugees.

The figures come from a report, commissioned by the No Accommodation Network, detailing homelessness among people who have just been granted refugee status in the UK. It found that many have become homeless after struggling to find a job and accommodation before their small level of financial support is cut off.

It found that across three shelters in 2018-19, 23 per cent (36 of 156) were refugees. In one Manchester shelter, 41 per cent (22 of 53) were refugees; in Camden it was 21 per cent (10 of 78) and at a Leicester shelter the figure stood at 16 per cent (four of 25).

The organisation’s latest figures from 2018 show that across its wider network refugees made up nearly a third of those in need of a home – 32 per cent (1,097 out of 3,471).

Hazel Williams, Naccom’s national director, said: “For too long people coming here in search of safety have been welcomed by being turfed out onto the streets. We call on the government to adopt the recommendations within our report and bring an end to this travesty.”