{"id":472,"date":"2026-04-27T17:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/?p=472"},"modified":"2026-04-28T13:37:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T12:37:02","slug":"other-developments-on-asylum-accommodation-and-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/other-developments-on-asylum-accommodation-and-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Other developments on asylum accommodation and support\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hostile Housing \u2014 The health impacts of housing for people seeking asylum\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Migrants Organise and\u00a0Medact\u00a0have published\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.migrantsorganise.org\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hostile-Housing-Report-FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\"><em>Hostile Housing<\/em><\/a>, a new report outlining how asylum accommodation is harming the health of people seeking protection in the UK.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings, drawn from a survey of 60 people living in asylum accommodation,&nbsp;predominantly asylum&nbsp;hotels, reveal:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overcrowding, damp, poor ventilation and mould<\/strong>\u00a0leading to respiratory problems, skin\u00a0conditions\u00a0and mental health deterioration.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Majority of respondents in catered accommodation reported experiences\u00a0indicating\u00a0<strong>serious problems with food access<\/strong>, including,\u00a0poor quality, limited variety not eating despite feeling hungry and skipping meals. Two-thirds of people rated food quality as poor. Children were significantly affected, with half refusing meals daily and over half experiencing weight loss.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Over half of respondents felt unsafe<\/strong>\u00a0in sharing complaints with accommodation staff. A\u00a0third were not allowed visitors, while those in supported accommodation faced time restrictions around leaving sites.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Respondents reported being watched and\u00a0monitored,<\/strong>\u00a0feeling unsafe, and raised concerns about staff.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the Home Office moves to shut down asylum hotels, the report shows there is a need for safer, community-focussed housing models. In particular, the report recommends that asylum accommodation should be placed in the hands of local authorities&nbsp;that&nbsp;can prioritise not-for-profit community housing models.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accommodating asylum-seeking families in hotel rooms\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Solicitors Deighton Pierce Glynn brought judicial review proceedings challenging the Home Office\u2019s approach to and practices of accommodating asylum-seeking families in hotel rooms. Following a full hearing in December 2025,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcaselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fewhc%2Fadmin%2F2026%2F729%3Fcourt%3Dewhc%252Fadmin&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjohn.perry%40cih.org%7Ce24dbbed045a4139015808de963ab140%7C0000e9ea9ee347939563177e444fb497%7C0%7C0%7C639113375987104779%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3nAK4nhTVKg35je59feRbp%2BigTOKfZeni3uT0VMMoSo%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">judgment was handed down on<\/a>\u00a026 March 2025.\u00a0(See:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/ewhc\/admin\/2026\/729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\"><em>R (SH and Another) v SSHD\u00a0<\/em>[2026] EWHC 729 (Admin)<\/a>.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The claim was partially successful. The judge did not agree that the overcrowding legislation found in the Housing Act 1985 applied to asylum hotel accommodation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However,&nbsp;the judge did make the following findings:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For most families, being accommodated in a single hotel room would not be adequate for more than three months. This depends on the size of the family and age and sex of the children. As per the claimants\u2019 cases, for either a couple with a\u00a0six-year-old and baby or a mum with one or two sons over 12, three months is too long. A couple with one young child may not\u00a0benefit\u00a0from this three-month\u00a0timeframe.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Home Office\u2019s practice of requiring exceptional circumstances for a specific location is too high and\u00a0an erroneous\u00a0interpretation of the law. Location of accommodation should be based on need, not on exceptional circumstances. There is some\u00a0very helpful\u00a0reasoning in the judgment about the approach the Home Office\/medical advisor should be taking to evidence provided and should not be saying there is no need for a location just because someone is not suicidal (see paragraphs 89\u201395).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The solicitors are taking instructions on an appeal on the statutory overcrowding point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BBC reports on asylum cases criticised\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The\u00a0<em>BBC\u00a0<\/em>has run\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c86eew6jpjgo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">a series<\/a>\u00a0of articles, shows and podcasts detailing an \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c937wldkkw8o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">undercover investigation<\/a>\u201d into the UK asylum system. The reporting has given the impression of widespread practices of falsification. However, Alex Powell, a researcher at Warwick University, says that the reality is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/leftfootforward.org\/2026\/04\/we-need-to-end-the-hostile-environment-not-create-a-moral-panic-against-lgbt-asylum-seekers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">far more complicated and concerning<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He adds:\u00a0\u201cThe framing of the piece, which is based on\u00a0a very small\u00a0number of encounters, presents asylum claims\u00a0on the basis of\u00a0someone being LGBTIQA+ as simple. It does this by uncritically repeating the line of an\u00a0\u2018adviser\u2019\u00a0to Worcester LGBT captured in the\u00a0<em>BBC\u2019<\/em>s video that \u2018There is no check-up to find out if the person is gay\u2019.\u00a0However,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/bristoluniversitypress.co.uk\/queering-uk-refugee-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">my research<\/a>\u00a0has documented the reality of claiming asylum in the UK\u00a0on the basis of\u00a0being LGBTIQA+.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rainbow Migration\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rainbowmigration.org.uk\/news\/behaviour-by-a-small-number-of-bad-faith-actors-does-not-reflect-the-reality-of-lgbtqi-people-seeking-asylum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">said<\/a>: \u201cBehaviour by a small number of bad-faith actors does not reflect the reality of LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum.\u201d Refugee and Migrant Justice also\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rmjustice.org.uk\/latest-news\/news\/post\/32-rmjs-response-to-irresponsible-bbc-coverage-on-fraudulent-aimmigration-advisersa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">called out<\/a>\u00a0\u201cirresponsible BBC coverage on fraudulent immigration advisers\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other news on asylum support\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Asylum support: what is available and what has changed.\u00a0<\/strong><em>Free Movement\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/freemovement.org.uk\/asylum-support-available-and-what-has-changed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">looks at<\/a>\u00a0the current state of asylum accommodation and support, summarising what is now available after recent government changes. Meanwhile, the number of asylum seekers in hotels\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/feb\/26\/number-of-asylum-seekers-in-uk-hotels-falls-to-18-month-low\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">falls<\/a>\u00a0to an 18-month low.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Can asylum seekers work while waiting for a decision on their case?\u00a0<\/strong><em>Free Movement\u00a0<\/em>has an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/freemovement.org.uk\/can-asylum-seekers-work-in-the-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">updated briefing<\/a>\u00a0(free to read for a period). Up to 21,000 asylum seekers who have waited for a year for their claims to be processed could be allowed to enter the jobs market,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/politics\/2026\/mar\/04\/asylum-seekers-allowed-to-enter-uk-jobs-market-under-new-measures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">says<\/a>\u00a0t<em>he Guardian.<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Asylum seeker deaths.\u00a0<\/strong>More than 50 young people who came to the UK to seek asylum\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/apr\/08\/young-asylum-seekers-deaths-suicides-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">have died<\/a>\u00a0in the past decade, the majority by suicide, according to a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.daaroyouth.org.uk\/news-and-updates\/new-research-by-da%27aro-youth-project-shows-rising-deaths-of-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-young-people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">report<\/a>\u00a0from the\u00a0Da&#8217;aro\u00a0Youth Project.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Housing asylum seekers at Crowborough military camp is repeating dangerous mistakes.\u00a0<\/strong>While in opposition, Labour denounced the Tories for cramming people seeking asylum into military camps. Now\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0dusting off the very same failed playbook,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigissue.com\/opinion\/crowborough-asylum-human-rights-watch-just-fair\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">argue<\/a>\u00a0Just Fair and Human Rights Watch in the\u00a0<em>Big Issue.<\/em>\u00a0The first people moved into Crowborough training camp at the end of January; it can hold around 500 people in total.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/asylum-support-accommodation-on-large-sites-an-information-pack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"Here\">Here<\/a>\u00a0you can read our newsletter article on large sites by Olivia Halse and Anya Draycott-Kapp.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hotel closures.<\/strong>\u00a0The Home Office announced the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/uk\/politics\/home-office-migration-asylum-hotels-b2956162.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">closure<\/a>\u00a0of 11 more asylum hotels.\u00a0<em>UnHerd<\/em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/unherd.com\/newsroom\/labours-asylum-hotel-crackdown-is-only-a-temporary-fix\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">argues<\/a>\u00a0that this solves only a small part of the problem, as the Home Office continues to use hotels (190,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/politics\/11-asylum-hotels-shut-190-remain-open-4354171\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"\">according to\u00a0<em>The i\u00a0Paper<\/em><\/a>)\u00a0and plans greater use of unsatisfactory large sites such as barracks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hostile Housing \u2014 The health impacts of housing for people seeking asylum\u00a0 Migrants Organise and\u00a0Medact\u00a0have published\u202fHostile Housing, a new report outlining how asylum accommodation is&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":458,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","slim_seo":{"title":"Other developments on asylum accommodation and support\u00a0 - Housing Rights","description":"Hostile Housing \u2014 The health impacts of housing for people seeking asylum\u00a0 Migrants Organise and\u00a0Medact\u00a0have published\u202f Hostile Housing , a new report outlining"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asylum-accommodation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/housing-rights.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}