Refugee Housing Policy and Practice in the United Kingdom

This chapter documents the centrality of housing in the resettlement of refugees in the UK. We examine how race and racialisation has shaped responses to migration, aligned with political and popular rhetoric that demonises those that seek refuge. The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 proved pivotal in creating a blueprint for the state response to housing refugees, leading to subsequent dispersal policies across the UK. It should be noted that although we refer to the United Kingdom throughout this chapter it is in England that most of the housing for asylum seekers and refugees is situated. The UK approach to asylum seekers and refugees involves both centralized policies and devolved responsibilities, leading to variations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Asylum seekers across the UK are subject to the same legal framework and eligibility criteria and the UK Home Office retains authority over immigration and asylum matters, including the processing of asylum claims and the provision of initial accommodation. However, whilst there is no guiding framework for the integration of migrant communities in England, there is a national integration strategy in place in Scotland, Wales has an ambition of becoming a Nation of Sanctuary and Northern Ireland consulted on a draft Refugee Integrated Strategy in 2021, but this is not yet implemented.

In this chapter we draw attention to the different approaches utilised in organised resettlement schemes, as well as highlighting the roles and responsibilities of agencies and organisation in the settlement of refugees and asylum seekers arriving by various routes. We suggest that it is important to consider refugee resettlement within the wider context of housing policy to recognise the impact of the housing crisis and to better understand the housing precarity experienced by the most vulnerable with society.