When people are granted refugee status in the UK, they must quickly move on from asylum support accommodation. For many, this transition comes with significant challenges finding both housing and employment.

Refugees bring valuable skills, qualifications and experience, yet face significant barriers to entering the UK labour market. They are around four times more likely to be unemployed than people born in the UK and, on average, earn substantially less. Last year in London, 18% of people who slept rough for the first time had previously been living in asylum accommodation. 

This suggests that there is a significant opportunity to intervene earlier, offering targeted support to  help prevent homelessness before it occurs.

How are we going about it?

Through this project, we will test whether early intervention and targeted employment support can improve housing outcomes for newly recognised refugees and reduce the risk of homelessness.

Dedicated Employment Advisers will provide tailored support, beginning as soon as possible after permission to work  is granted. 

The project is designed to operate flexibly, recognising that participants may be moving between temporary accommodation, private rented housing or periods of housing insecurity. Employment support will be delivered in partnership with organisations providing housing and move-on support.

The project forms part of London's Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme.

We expect findings to be available in mid-2027.

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