Basic housing protections denied people seeking safety
The government's proposal could see people who have already experienced trauma forced to live in accommodation unfit for human habitation.
The recent headlines relating to people seeking safety in the UK have been truly appalling. From children being handcuffed at Border Force detention sites, to Afghan families who were airlifted out of Kabul in August 2021 being issued eviction letters, we’re seeing people who have sought safety here denied protection and treated without dignity.
On top of this was the news that the government is planning to temporarily remove licensing requirements for asylum accommodation, meaning that landlords would have no obligation to provide gas safety certificates, working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors or safe electrical appliances.
These plans will also allow exemptions from regulations governing minimum room sizes. Landlords will be allowed to provide accommodation to people seeking asylum for two years without the need to get the property recognised as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Mary Atkinson, Campaigns and Network Manager at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said: “Without HMO licences, already traumatised people will be at risk of living in places that are unfit for human habitation.”
The Home Office has already proved itself unable to provide safe accommodation after diphtheria outbreaks in hotels and the Manston facility in Kent. Now we’re seeing them erode even further the rights of people who came here seeking safety.
This news may not directly impact people during their time with Boaz. But many of the people we work with go on to make further submissions to the Home Office at the end of their time with us. This often comes as a result of living in a safe home with support to access legal advice, which can bring new evidence to light. At this point, people may then be eligible for Home Office accommodation while they await a decision.
If this accommodation doesn't even meet minimum standards, it’s likely that we could see deterioration in the physical and mental health of people we’ve walked with and supported over the course of their time with Boaz.
This news leaves us feeling sadness and anger at the UK government’s complete lack of regard for the physical and mental wellbeing of people seeking safety. This needs to change.
Alongside 142 other organisations, we've signed a joint letter to Suella Braverman and Michael Gove, urging them to drop their proposal to exempt asylum accommodation from HMO licensing requirements.
