Exploring new housing pathways for refugees

John Perry, Managing Director at Accommodation Concern, a Northamptonshire-based anti-poverty and homelessness prevention charity, discusses insights from their Commonweal-funded feasibility study investigating a housing model for refugees.

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About a year ago, Accommodation Concern applied to Commonweal Housing’s Call for New Ideas programme as we were beginning to rethink how we work with people outside the usual statutory safety nets. Our organisation has long supported individuals facing acute housing need. But over the past year, we have seen a steady rise in people whose immigration status places them in an exceptionally vulnerable position. Many have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), leaving them unable to access Housing Benefit, homelessness provision, or wider welfare support.

The opportunity to undertake a feasibility study with Commonweal arrived while we were already piloting a small property for newly recognised refugees. This provided a unique chance to reflect on what we were learning on the ground from this project, and to consider whether something more structured could be developed for cohorts similarly excluded from mainstream support. The Call for New Ideas programme allowed us to explore this question in an evidence-led way.

The research drew on conversations with residents, frontline workers, community partners, and local organisations, and revealed a clear set of themes. Refugees and people with NRPF share many practical and emotional challenges: limited English, unfamiliarity with local systems, restricted access to work, and the strain of navigating life far away from family support networks. Their situations are further complicated by factors not aligned with the typical homelessness landscape, including immigration conditions, issues with employer-linked visas (especially in the care sector), and changes in national and local policy.

One of the study’s key conclusions was that a cross-subsidy model funded by Housing Benefit was not feasible in our local context. Regulations, subsidy rules, and the wider political climate meant that the original concept – whereby supporting seven refugees with access to benefits could fund an eighth refugee with NRPF  – could not be delivered safely or sustainably. These findings were not discouraging; rather, they gave us a clearer picture of the barriers and helped steer us towards more realistic alternatives.

Even though the initial model could not be progressed, the feasibility study has had a significant and lasting impact on our organisation. It deepened our understanding of the specific needs of NRPF cohorts and highlighted the importance of tailored, culturally sensitive support that extends beyond accommodation. It also mapped out the local landscape of voluntary and community organisations already working in this space, helping us recognise where collaboration could strengthen outcomes.

Perhaps the most valuable learning was the realisation that we do have a meaningful role to play in developing solutions for people left outside statutory provision. As a local charity with established housing and support services, we are well placed to lead small, community-based pilots that test new approaches. The feasibility study provided the evidence needed to explore and pursue alternative funding routes that might make such work possible.

Since completing the study, we have submitted two grant applications directly informed by the findings. These funding bids focus on developing supported accommodation and integration-focused support for people with NRPF and refugees, using a grant-funded model rather than relying on Housing Benefit. The feasibility study strengthened these applications by giving us a clear understanding of the cohort, practical learning from our pilot property, and a credible evidence base for the approach we are now exploring.

The wider social context remains challenging, particularly around public perceptions and the pressures on local authorities. However, the feasibility study has helped us navigate these issues in a considered and constructive way. It has prompted thoughtful discussions with partners, clarified our organisational position, and given us confidence to move forward with work that might otherwise have felt too uncertain or complex.

Being part of Commonweal’s Call for New Ideas has been a positive and productive experience for Accommodation Concern. Even though the original model was not taken forward, the learnings have shaped our strategy, informed new funding approaches, and strengthened our understanding of the people we aim to support. The process offered the rare opportunity to step back, examine our practice, and think creatively about how to respond to unmet needs.

We are grateful to Commonweal for funding and supporting this work. The opportunity encouraged experimentation, reflection, and honesty - qualities that are often difficult to prioritise in frontline environments. It also demonstrated the value of feasibility studies as tools for innovation, even when the answer is not the one first imagined.

In the months ahead, we will continue to explore new housing solutions for those excluded from mainstream provision. Regardless of the outcome of the submitted bids, the feasibility study has already positively influenced our thinking. Most importantly, it will continue to guide our approach as we work to ensure that everyone, regardless of their status, has a safe place to rebuild and move forward.

If you would like to know more about our experience or think you can support us on this journey, you can email me at john@a-c.org.uk.