A Crucial Moment: Changes to Asylum Accommodation in the UK

Photo by Daniel Plemott on Unsplash 

A recent report by The Guardian highlights a significant shift in UK asylum policy. The Home Office is expected to announce the closure of 11 asylum hotels this week, part of a wider commitment to end the use of hotels for people seeking asylum.

Behind this policy change are real people and real communities, and this moment carries important implications for churches across the Welcome Network.

1. Disruption and Uncertainty for People Seeking Asylum

For many people seeking asylum, hotels have been more than temporary accommodation. They are often places where relationships begin. Friendships are formed, the local support networks all happen in the neighbourhood of the hotel. As these hotels close, many individuals will be relocated, often to unfamiliar areas. This means:

• Loss of community and trusted relationships

• Disruption to support systems, including churches and local groups

• Renewed uncertainty at an already vulnerable time

This will be a crucial moment for our asylum-seeking friends. For a change in the accommodation is not just a logistical transition. They will stand to lose much support, unless we actively work together to ensure our support can follow them where they go. 

2. Churches Navigating Change

Many churches in our network faithfully welcome people housed in these hotels. For some, this season may involve saying goodbye to friends who are being moved elsewhere. For others, it may mean discerning new ways to continue offering support.

If this is you, this might be a crucial moment for your community too. We would love to support you in this transition, whether that’s helping you stay connected with those who are moving on, or exploring how your church might continue to serve in new ways. 

You can also use our referral system to help ensure that those relocating are connected to welcoming, equipped church communities across the UK. Together, we can help make sure that our support can go beyond the efforts of one community or one location, and that no one will be left alone and without support.

3. A Time to Pray

This is also a crucial moment to pray.

The report points to long-term changes in how accommodation will be provided, with new contracts potentially shaping provision for the next decade. As decisions are made around cost and efficiency, we need to come together to pray that the needs and dignity of people seeking asylum will not be overlooked.

We pray:

• That kindness would be part of every calculation

• That those responsible for decisions would act with wisdom and compassion

• That people seeking asylum would experience stability, care, and belonging

• That the Government would provide adequate supports to communities, to ensure that both locals and people seeking asylum’s needs can be met

This is a pivotal moment. While systems and structures may change, our calling remains the same: to welcome the stranger, to walk alongside those seeking safety, and to be communities of hope.

If your church is affected by these changes, let us know - we would love to hear from you and support you in this next season.

At Welcome Churches, we are committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for refugees and people seeking asylum. Your support makes this possible. If you, like us, believe in the power of learning from lived experiences and fostering genuine expertise, consider partnering with us. Your donation helps us continue our work of integration, advocacy, and community-building.

Donate today and be a part of creating lasting change.