Afghan refugees face homelessness under UK plans, say rights groups

People who fled the Taliban in Afghanistan are at risk of homelessness in the UK, humanitarian groups have warned, after ministers announced plans to move the refugees out of hotels and into homes on the condition they accept the first offer made to them.

Afghans living in “temporary bridging accommodation” in the UK under the UK’s two resettlement schemes would be given additional support to find settled accommodation after 18 months in hotels, the Home Office said.

The veterans’ affairs minister, Johnny Mercer, told MPs any refugee who turned down an offer of accommodation would not be offered a second alternative. Concerns have been raised that refugees could face homelessness if they are unable to secure accommodation before leaving a hotel amid reports the government intends to set a deadline for the shift.

Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “We are deeply concerned about many elements of these plans, in particular the risk that they could lead to people who fled the Taliban in Afghanistan being left homeless and destitute on the streets of Britain.

“This is not how those who were promised a warm welcome in the UK should be treated. Hotels are not the right place for refugees to live but the fact that thousands of Afghans have been left in them for months on end is a consequence of government mismanagement and a failure to work successfully in partnership with local councils and other agencies to find suitable housing.”

The government was providing £35m in new cash for local authorities that would go towards increasing the level of support available and overcoming barriers in accessing the housing system and employment, the Home Office said.

Announcing the move in the House of Commons, Mercer confirmed refugees in hotels who turned down a move would not receive a second offer.

“These measures represent a generous offer. And in return for this, we do expect families to help themselves,” he said. “Whilst this government realizes our significant responsibilities to this cohort, there is a responsibility upon this group to take the opportunities that are offered under these schemes and integrate into UK society.

“Where an offer of accommodation can be made and is turned down, another will now not be forthcoming. At a time when there are many pressures on the taxpayer and the housing market, it is not right that people can choose to stay in hotels when other perfectly suitable accommodation is available.”

Afghans who arrived under two resettlement schemes, the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme (ACRS) and the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap), make up a fifth of people living in bridging hotels.

A government source told the Guardian the plan was to move all Afghan families out of hotels by the end of this year.