UK Home Office lets asylum seekers stay with family instead of state housing
UK Home Office now allows asylum seekers to stay with friends or family instead of government accommodation, according to a four-page leaflet published on its website Wednesday. Eligible seekers can choose private housing if their hosts can afford to accommodate them, while still receiving weekly financial support for food and essentials. The policy does not affect asylum application outcomes.
Why it matters: This shift reduces reliance on state housing and gives asylum seekers more autonomy over living arrangements, potentially easing pressure on UK asylum support systems. Applicants must first confirm host willingness, then contact Migrant Help to submit required information, and wait for Home Office approval before moving—failure to do so risks losing financial aid.
What you should know: The process requires a specified procedure—talk to friends/family, call Migrant Help, await confirmation. Meanwhile, the UK government also introduced a 24-week target for deciding certain asylum and immigration appeals, aiming to cut the current 67‑week average waiting time by more than a third. Those affected should follow the official steps to maintain support.