How the Refugee and Migrant Centre tackles housing issues 

At RMC, we support people who migrate to access safe, suitable housing by combining practical advice with education and empowerment. We recognise that the UK housing system is complex, under-resourced and difficult to navigate, particularly for people who are new to the country, facing language barriers or living with uncertainty around income or immigration status. 

Our housing work focusses on removing those barriers, building understanding and confidence, and helping people engage with housing systems so they can make informed decisions and build stability. 

We understand that housing can be a cause of significant stress for communities that have migrated. Our housing advisers therefore provide tailored one-to-one support to help people understand their housing rights and options, aiming to simplify the process. The support we provide includes advice on eligibility and completion of applications for social housing, local authority duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act, and how to access housing assistance. 

We place strong emphasis on education and prevention, supporting people to understand housing pathways, including during the move-on process, following an asylum grant, when individuals and families must leave asylum accommodation, their asylum support ends, and they have to transition into mainstream services. 

By supporting individuals and families at this stage, we help them feel better prepared and reassured, reducing the risk of crisis and homelessness. (You can read about our Move-On Project and its impact here.) 

Alongside advice, we support people to put their housing rights into practice by engaging with local authorities and housing providers. We build and maintain relationships with housing providers to help streamline referrals and improve access to appropriate accommodation. Where needed, we advocate on people’s behalf, support the resolution of housing issues, make referrals to supported accommodation, and provide guidance on private renting options when social housing is unavailable. 

Support is delivered in multiple languages, with our staff and volunteers speaking over 50 community languages, ensuring those we serve can understand complex systems and feel empowered to advocate for themselves. 

Our work also responds compassionately to the realities of the current UK housing shortage. Temporary accommodation is intended to be a short-term solution, but many individuals and families now remain in temporary or insecure housing for extended periods, experiencing disruption to daily life, wellbeing and stability. RMC works to bridge the gap between the communities we serve and housing systems during these periods, providing continuity, reassurance and coordinated support. 

As well as direct support, we work closely with local authorities and voluntary sector partners to coordinate responses, share learning and highlight systemic barriers affecting people who migrate. Our frontline experience gives us a clear view of where housing systems fall short and where changes are needed. 

By combining person-centred support with partnership working and evidence-based insight, we aim not only to respond to immediate housing need but also to contribute to longer term solutions that reduce homelessness and promote dignity and belonging. 

You can read more about our housing work and the issues affecting people who migrate in our articles, including Housing Instability: Why So Many Families Are Left in Limbo and Social Housing Crisis. There is more about those we support on our website, including Sajjad’s Story – Accessible housing, is it accessible? and Binta’s Story – The Complex Journey to Long-term Housing