Thousands of refugees in the UK are facing a worsening homelessness crisis, with cases more than doubling over the past two years, according to a network of over 100 organisations supporting refugees and migrants.
Naccom, a national charity representing 140 frontline refugee and migrant groups, reported that its members accommodated a record 4,434 refugees and migrants in 2024-25. However, they were unable to house another 3,450 people who sought help-a figure the charity says likely underestimates the true scale of the crisis.
The surge in homelessness has been linked to “near-constant government policy changes” and the introduction of eVisas, which some refugees have struggled to activate, limiting their access to essential services and support.
During 2024-25, Naccom members provided 672,807 nights of accommodation. Among those seeking help, 829 people were sleeping rough, more than double the 2022-23 figure of 378. Of those housed, 2,008 were refugees, representing a 106% increase from the previous year.
Bridget Young, Naccom’s director, described the findings as “a bleak picture of a continuing crisis with no end in sight.” She added: “Successive governments have expanded the hostile environment through constant, reactive policy changes that make it easier for people to fall into destitution and homelessness and harder to find a way out. Anti-immigration sentiment has continued to grow, highlighted by recent policies likely to increase homelessness further.”
In one case, Asylum Welcome, a refugee charity in Oxfordshire, reported being approached for accommodation support for 48 newly recognised refugees evicted from asylum housing in a single month, many of whom were left sleeping on the streets. For those the charity could not house, only sleeping bags were provided. Some individuals sleeping rough also faced assaults and had personal belongings destroyed by anti-immigrant protestors.
A Home Office pilot programme, which extended the move-on period for newly recognised refugees from 28 to 56 days to allow more time to find housing and employment, ended in September 2025, returning the period to 28 days for single adults. An internal Home Office letter revealed that vulnerable groups-including the sick, disabled, and elderly-will also have their move-on period reduced to 28 days by the end of this month. NGOs have linked this shorter move-on period to the rise in street homelessness among refugees.
The policy has faced legal challenges in the High Court, with some orders temporarily halting enforcement of the 28-day move-on period due to the risk of destitution, including an emergency case in October.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The 56-day move-on period remains in place for all families and vulnerable individuals until the end of the year. We are working with local councils, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure necessary support is provided for those granted refugee status. An independent evaluation of the pilot is ongoing.