Asylum dispersal accommodation - Frequently asked questions
Definitions:
- Asylum Seeker or person seeking asylum – A person seeking asylum is an individual who has left their country of origin and formally applied for asylum in another country due to reasons such as fear of persecution. They will have an asylum claim in the UK system; this can take many years to be decided. If an asylum claim has been granted, they are known as refugees.
- Migrant – A migrant is a generic term to describe anyone who has moved from one country to another country for reasons such as to find work.
- Refugee status and rights – a person who has been granted ‘refugee status’ outside of their country of origin, due to fear of persecution, for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, membership of a certain social or political group. Refugees have the same rights as any other British Citizen, including the right to work and to claim benefits.
Asylum journey & right to accommodation:
1. Asking for asylum
You must be in the UK to claim asylum. You can claim at the border by telling an officer or book an appointment with the Asylum Intake Unit if already inside the UK.
2. Screening interview
The Home Office records your details, takes fingerprints and a photo, and asks basic questions about why you cannot return home.
3. Accommodation while you wait
If you have no money or housing, you can apply for asylum support, which may include accommodation and a small weekly allowance while your claim is assessed.
Accommodation is provided through contractors such as Serco.
4. Main asylum interview
Attend a detailed interview to explain your story and provide evidence supporting your claim.
5. Decision
The Home Office decides whether to grant Refugee Status, Humanitarian Protection, or refuse the claim.
6. After a positive decision
You gain the right to work, rent or apply for social housing, and claim benefits.
Asylum accommodation ends 28 or 56 days after your decision and following this period you will receive a Notice to Quit with at least 7 days’ notice.
7. After a refusal
You may be able to appeal or seek legal advice.
Frequently asked questions on Asylum seekers:
Why have people seeking asylum been placed in asylum accommodation?
The Home Office is currently using a number of sites across the country as a temporary and emergency response to accommodate people seeking asylum.
Who makes the decision on where people seeking asylum are placed?
The Home Office makes the decision on which properties and locations are used.
How long will the individuals have been in the country for? And where will they have come from?
Some of those seeking asylum may be new to the country, and others may have been in the UK for some time while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.
The number of refugees and people seeking asylum varies depending on what is happening in the world.
Will we see single people or families move into the area?
Asylum accommodation can be used to accommodate both single adults and families.
Will people seeking asylum have access to local health services?
Yes, they can access local health services in the same way that any person living in the area can.
How long will people seeking asylum stay in the area?
People seeking asylum will remain in Home Office accommodation until their asylum claim is processed. This can vary from months to years.
How will the safety of people seeking asylum and the community be maintained?
NBBC Community Safety team work closely with Warwickshire Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams and support agencies for asylum seekers. Alongside this we work closely with community and resident groups to ensure any concerns raised are dealt with swiftly.
Why does NBBC have to support people seeking asylum?
Every council in the UK has a responsibility to work with the Home Office to support people seeking asylum.
Who provides the accommodation to people seeking asylum in NBBC?
This is the responsibility of the Home Office.