Rate of asylum seekers granted refugee status in North 'putting strain on social housing'

By David Young, PA

A threefold increase in the rate of asylum seekers being granted refugee status in Northern Ireland has placed strain on the social housing system, MLAs have been told.

A change to UK's immigration policy designed to clear the backlog of asylum applications has had a “significant impact” on the provision of services in Northern Ireland, officials told members of the North's Executive Office Committee on Wednesday.

While hotels and other temporary accommodation options are used to house asylum seekers first arriving in Northern Ireland, if these individuals are subsequently granted refugee status they can access social housing via the North's Housing Executive.

Orla McStravick, from the Refugee and Asylum Support unit within the Executive Office, said the Home Office move to streamline the application process had resulted in a significant increase in the rate at which asylum seekers are receiving decisions on their applications for refugee status.

She told MLAs that officials were operating within a “rapidly changing legislative and operational environment”.

“As members will be aware, the Home Office approach to immigration has been at the forefront of national politics and discourse for some time,” she said.

“This has resulted in a suite of changes nationally that have a significant impact in the devolved space.

“Challenging devolved impacts have arisen as a result of the Home Office committing to clearing the asylum backlog and stop small boats crossing in the channel.

“Since streamlined asylum processing was introduced last year there has been a threefold rise in people being granted refugee status month-on-month.

“Whilst we welcome that people are getting their asylum decisions more quickly, this increase in the volume and pace has caused challenges within the devolved area of responsibility as we try to support those leaving the asylum state to settle permanently here.

“Many refugees who get a positive decision rely on support from the Housing Executive for accommodation, and the increase in numbers have placed strain on that housing system.

“This has in turn put pressures on the ability to ensure health and education provision as people are moved to temporary accommodation, while a suitable permanent home is sought.”