Refugee housing transitions: Combatting homelessness and fostering inclusion

This winter frontline organisations continue to raise concerns about the ‘move-on challenge’: when people gain refugee status, but struggle to access housing, with significant numbers falling into homelessness on eviction from asylum accommodation. New research from SOAS University of London, University of Huddersfield and the Refugee Council highlights the difficulties confronting refugees, as well as the issues faced by local authorities and voluntary and community sector organisations trying to prevent homelessness. The session will also explore ways of addressing the move-on challenge, including changes to government policy and practice and inspiring examples of innovative initiatives, offering a roadmap for more coordinated, humane, and effective housing transitions. Panellists: Dr Anna Lindley, SOAS University of London (Co-author of Refugee Housing and Homelessness: Scoping Local Authority responses to newly granted refugees not in priority need) Prof Philip Brown, University of Huddersfield (Co-author of Navigating Statutory Homelessness Support: Impacts of Asylum and Refugee Policy) Refugee Council (TBC) Chair: John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington