Asylum seekers and refugees in the UK may be entitled to housing assistance while they wait for a decision on their asylum application. This is provided by the Home Office as soon as an asylum application is made. However, having refugee status does not put a person in priority need for housing. They will go through the same process as other Liverpool residents that need housing assistance.
When a decision on asylum status has been made, refugees may apply for housing assistance in the area of the decision. If someone arrives in Liverpool through a Refugee Resettlement Scheme, their accommodation will be arranged before they even arrive in the country. This can be done by the Local Authority or a community hosting placement they have arranged themselves. In the past, central government has also provided emergency accommodation.
The Home Office pays for accommodation for adults and families seeking asylum. Unaccompanied minors, on the other hand, are entitled to Local Authority accommodation, provided and paid for by Children’s Services. Liverpool residents who receive refugee status are entitled to work and access benefits, and they will either pay their accommodation costs themselves or through benefits, the same as other residents.
The Liverpool council has a responsibility to provide housing assistance to anyone who is eligible and applies. Therefore, it is important that they fulfil their obligations efficiently and fairly to all residents. The Council receives funding from central government to provide accommodation and support for refugees under resettlement schemes and unaccompanied minors. More information about the asylum process can be found at https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/
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