A recent report in the Guardian shows that the UK is facing a growing crisis of homelessness among refugees. As the Home Office works to clear the substantial backlog of asylum claims, many individuals are finally being granted refugee status. While this should be a moment of relief and hope, it often marks the beginning of a new struggle.
Once their asylum claim is approved, refugees are given just 28 days to vacate Home Office accommodation. This short window leaves them with little time to find housing or employment, especially since they were not permitted to work while waiting for a decision. Without savings, a support network or the means to secure housing in a fiercely competitive rental market, many find themselves with nowhere to go.
At our Bournemouth Dignity Centre, we are seeing the impact of this broken system every day.
A Warm Meal and a Place to Rest
For refugees forced onto the streets, mornings can be especially tough after a night exposed to the cold and damp.
Each week, we provide a breakfast of toast, cereal and hot drinks to 50 of our members facing street homelessness. It’s a simple yet vital service and, for many, this warm welcome is a lifeline during an otherwise isolating and exhausting time.
We also prioritise providing access to bathrooms, fresh towels and hygiene items to our members facing street homelessness. These services give people the chance to feel clean, refreshed and more prepared to face the day.
National Crisis, Local Impact
While homelessness is a growing issue across the UK, refugees face unique and severe challenges. With refugee homelessness increasing by 99% in the past year, and rough sleeping among this group up by 125%, the situation is now critical.
At the Bournemouth Dignity Centre, we are seeing an average of 20 people being made street homeless each month after having received refugee status. This is not isolated to the area – it is the lived reality for thousands of refugees across the country, individuals who came here seeking safety but instead face the devastation of homelessness.
The national conversation around refugees often fails to acknowledge the very real barriers people face even after their asylum claims are approved. At the Dignity Centre, we are filling the gap left by a system that too often leaves people behind.
Winter is particularly dangerous for those living on the streets. Cold, wet conditions make life not just uncomfortable but life-threatening. Without urgent action, many more could be lost to a system that continues to fail them.
Working Together to Make a Difference
Tackling homelessness among refugees requires a community effort. That’s why we work closely with local organisations to provide comprehensive support for our members.
One of our key allies is Andrew Talbot from We Are Humans, who work to support people experiencing homelessness in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area. Andrew recently questioned BCP Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which provides emergency accommodation when temperatures drop below freezing. While SWEP ensures that many of our members experiencing homelessness are given temporary shelter, it’s only a short-term solution and most individuals must return to the streets as soon as temperatures rise – even if conditions remain dangerous and difficult. We join Andrew and We Are Humans in calling for the re-establishment of night shelters and other long-term approaches to address this complex issue.
We also partner with Refugees at Home, a national network connecting people with spare rooms to refugees in need of temporary accommodation. Their work provides a lifeline for those navigating the immense challenges of finding housing after being granted refugee status. With demand for hosts far exceeding supply, Refugees at Home is urgently seeking new hosts both in Bournemouth and across the country. If you’re able to offer a room in your home, please consider signing up as a host.
How You Can Help
Your support can make a tangible difference to the lives of refugees experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth. By donating to us, you help provide:
- Warm meals and a safe space for people to gather.
- Hygiene facilities that allow members to feel clean and cared for.
- Practical support to help refugees take the next steps towards rebuilding their lives.
Together, we can address this crisis and give people the dignified support they need to move forward.
