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The Independent has uncovered that a brave pilot from Afghanistan, who supported Britain in its battle against the Taliban, is among the many new refugees who may become homeless due to the Home Office’s recent changes in eviction policies.
The member of the air force who served alongside coalition forces and was praised as a dedicated patriot is at risk of being forced out of his temporary residence provided by the Home Office. He is also striving to bring his wife and child, who are currently in hiding from the Taliban in Afghanistan, back together with him.
The Independent has received new data indicating that over 13,000 refugees who were recently granted asylum have sought emergency assistance from councils in 2023.
This development is the most recent setback in the process of assisting those who have been granted asylum in the UK. The Home Office now requires refugees to secure alternative housing within 28 days before being evicted from their government-provided accommodations.
As summer approaches, the clock starts ticking and the Home Office is working to reduce the backlog of asylum applications. As a result, refugees may have as little as seven days to secure new housing.
Numerous individuals seek assistance from overburdened local governments, which unfortunately lack sufficient temporary housing options for all, leading to the need for sleeping without shelter.
The rise has been attributed to reduced government aid and a higher rate of asylum approvals by charities.
One of those in danger is the ex-pilot, who has been supported by The Independent.
Mujtaba, an Afghan refugee, has been compelled to spend the night in a park following his asylum approval.
He expressed concern about the issue of homelessness, stating that for the past three months he has been actively searching for a room on various websites but has been unsuccessful.
Some of the people staying at my hotel have been evicted and had to sleep on the streets for approximately two weeks. I have visited the council multiple times, but they have only provided me with websites for searching for rooms.
This situation is quite complex and poses a challenge for us. If I am without a place to sleep, how can I secure employment? And if I do find a job, where will I be able to sleep?
The pilot has not been given a formal notice of eviction from the Home Office, but has been cautioned by a charity contracted by the government, Migrant Help, to anticipate a seven-day notice at any time.
The man, who faced potential deportation to Rwanda, stated that he had submitted applications for approximately 50 properties but was turned down due to his lack of housing and job.
Conservative MP Julian Lewis, who previously chaired the Commons defence select committee, stated that while the UK cannot provide refuge to every former member of the Afghan armed forces, those who have been granted asylum should be treated with utmost care.
Stephen Kinnock, the shadow minister for immigration, criticized the government for completely failing to address the issue.
He stated that the rising number of refugees without a home on our streets is proof of the Conservative party’s inability to control the disorder in the asylum system.
“Refugees should not be abandoned without resources, but the government frequently shifts responsibility to local councils who are already struggling with a housing shortage.”
He stated: “The current Home Office run by the Conservative party is incredibly disorganized and inept, causing it to completely neglect its fundamental role in government. As a result, there has been a noticeable increase in homelessness this winter.”
High-ranking military officials have previously criticized the limited time that Afghans have to seek assistance. Retired General Sir Richard Barrons, who led the UK Joint Forces Command, stated: “The central government cannot simply shift responsibility onto local authorities. We cannot abandon individuals and allow them to become homeless.”
In the meantime, non-profit organizations have turned to providing tents for individuals without a place to reside. In reaction, the Home Office has decided to postpone removing individuals from hotels between December 23rd and January 2nd.
Four refugees who were displaced from Home Office hotels in Reading now have a new place to call home.
Growing problem
According to data from the council, there has been a significant increase in the number of “new refugees” who have reported homelessness in the first 10 months of 2023. This number, at 13,055, is much higher than the total of 8,566 recorded in all of 2022.
It is possible that the numbers provided are lower than the actual amount, as only 80% of the 350 councils in the UK responded to a Freedom of Information request from Care4Calais.
According to recent government data, the increase in the number of people sleeping rough can be seen by the surge in September. In comparison to July, there were 222 individuals sleeping rough after leaving asylum support services, a significant rise from the previous 44 individuals.
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, said the surge was symbolic of the UK’s broken asylum system. He added: “No one wants to see people who come here for sanctuary, left destitute on our streets, but this is what is happening under this government.”
A recent refugee, currently residing in a park in Reading after being evicted from his hotel lodging, informed The Independent that the local council was unable to assist him as he was not considered a high-priority case due to being a young, single man.
Mujtaba Qaderi mentioned that he currently faces difficulty in sleeping, and is powerless in preventing rainwater from seeping into his tent during the night.
The individual, aged 25, revealed that the majority of job submissions he made while residing in the hotel were disregarded. Despite being considered for a position at Tesco, he did not advance to the final stage. He is currently facing challenges in applying for jobs without a permanent address.
He stated, “The council informed me that they do not have any available housing. My mental health is not in a good state and I cannot guarantee that where I am currently sleeping is safe. Despite closing my tent, bugs and water still manage to get inside when it rains. While I am able to receive free or discounted meals in the city, food is not my main concern.”
“I often struggle to get a full night’s sleep and experience headaches during the day. My mind is consumed with inner turmoil. I don’t have much of an appetite, so I only eat when I am truly hungry. My main focus is finding a place to live.”
The Reading Borough Council reported a rise in the number of referrals and verifications for individuals who have been granted positive asylum decisions.
The council stated that the Home Office’s promise to resolve the backlog of asylum cases by 2023, along with their directive to only give seven days’ notice for individuals to vacate their accommodations, has resulted in a significant rise in demand for local council services. This has placed a heavy burden on the local councils. The council has assigned a case worker to assist Mujtaba in finding suitable housing options.
In the period leading up to September 2023, Afghans submitted the highest number of asylum requests in the UK, accounting for 14% of the overall amount. They were followed by Iranians and Albanians. Afghans, Eritreans, Syrians, and Iranians all have an approval rate of over 85% for their asylum applications.
Ewan Roberts, the manager of Asylum Link Merseyside, expressed that the Home Office is rapidly processing refugees and leaving them homeless on the streets.
According to Helen Hodgson of Hope at Home, survivors of modern slavery are slipping through the cracks.
Bridget Young, the director of NACCOM, an organization of charities that provide aid to homeless refugees, expressed concern about the worsening conditions during the winter months.
According to a spokesperson for the government, refugees are now given a period of 28 days to transition out of asylum accommodation once they have received their biometric residence permit. The spokesperson also stated that efforts are being made to collaborate with local authorities in order to handle the repercussions of asylum decisions as the backlog decreases.
Source: independent.co.uk
