Asylum Seeker Housing
The Asylum Seeker Housing Service was set up to make a real difference to the housing situation of people supported by the Home Office accommodation and support contract in Scotland and to carry out housing research on these issues.
How we deliver support with Asylum Seeker Housing
Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live. But for many people seeking asylum in Scotland, the reality is very different. Families can be left to deal with damp, mould, broken heating, and unsafe conditions.
Getting these problems fixed can be extremely difficult. Language barriers, a lack of knowledge about UK housing rights, and a complex reporting system can leave people feeling powerless and ignored. Problems are often not fixed properly, or they are not fixed at all.
The Asylum Seeker Housing (ASH) service was created to challenge this. We believe that everyone has the right to a home that is safe, warm, and secure. We work directly with people seeking asylum to make sure their voices are heard and that their housing issues are resolved.
Helping you report housing problems
Knowing who to call or what to say can be confusing. Our team is here to help you report any issue with your accommodation. We can help with problems like:
Making sure repairs get done
Reporting a problem is only half the battle. Too often, repairs are delayed or carried out to a poor standard. Our caseworkers will support you following up on your repairs. We keep pressure on the housing provider to act and help ensure repairs are to a suitable standard.
Fighting for Asylum Seekers right to a home
Our work goes beyond individual repairs. We campaign to protect the rights of all people seeking asylum and challenge unfair systems that put people at risk.
Preventing Evictions
In July 2018, hundreds of people seeking asylum in Glasgow faced the immediate threat of homelessness. The housing provider at the time, Serco, began a policy of changing the locks on people's doors to carry out forced evictions. This left vulnerable individuals and families with nowhere to go.
In response, we developed the Preventing Asylum Seeker Evictions (PASE) project. We provided emergency support to over 300 people who were at risk. We worked with partners like Shelter Scotland to challenge these actions in the media and in the courts. We stood with our community and fought to keep people safe in their homes.
Changing the System
We believe in creating long term change. That is why we also work to influence policy and improve the law. We supported the Asylum Seekers (Accommodation Eviction Procedures) Bill, a piece of legislation designed to give people seeking asylum the same legal protections from eviction as other tenants in the UK.
By gathering evidence from our casework and sharing it with politicians and the public, we work to build a housing system that is fair and humane for everyone.
Download Asylum Seeker Housing Project (ASH) Good Practice Resources
Explore and download a collection of ASH resources. It includes our best practices and resources for other organisations and caseworkes, helping us all provide better, more effective support to those who need it most.
Download ASH Good Practice Information
Are you an asylum seeker that needs help with a housing issue?
Please get in touch with us for support. Our service is free, and confidential. We can provide interpreters if you need one. If you are another organisation and would like to refer someone to our project, please email us and we will get back to you.