Asylum seekers and refugees

All non-UK Nationals are required to provide documentation to show they have a right to live in the UK.

Asylum seekers and refugees applying for a home
 

Non-UK Nationals looking for permanent rehousing from Wheatley Homes Glasgow or other social landlords in Wheatley Group, apply for a home in the same way as other customers.

A support service provided by our sister company, Wheatley Care, provides support to homeless customers, including refugees.

We have a number of forums, including Polish and West African housing forums, which offer customers advice and support with tenancy issues affecting their ethnic group. Our migrant support advisor can help re-house new refugees.

We work with a number of different teams in Wheatley Group and are happy to work with any organisations working with or for Non-UK nationals.

Who is an asylum seeker? 
 

An asylum seeker is someone who has lodged an application for international protection under the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention or Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, and is awaiting a decision from the UK Government.

On arriving in the UK, most asylum seekers are entitled to housing while their asylum claim is processed. This type of housing is separate from mainstream social housing and is provided by the Home Office under the COMPASS contract.

We will accept waiting list applications from those seeking asylum, but the application is suspended until their refugee status is confirmed.

Who is a refugee?
 

A refugee is “any person who owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country,” according to the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Refugee status is awarded to a person who the Home Office recognises as a refugee as defined by The 1951 UN Refugee Convention. In short, a refugee has the same housing rights as a UK national.

Once an asylum seeker has refugee status, local authorities – in our case, Glasgow City Council – have the statutory responsibility for rehousing refugees. Our role is to assist the local authority.

We are committed to offering protection and welcome for refugees through access to housing, both with temporary and permanent resettlement accommodation.

If a refugee accepts a tenancy with us, it would run like any other mainstream tenancy.

If the tenant is working, they will pay the rent. If they are looking for work, they will need to apply for benefits (Housing Benefit or Universal Credit) for support to pay the rent.

The same rules relating to the housing part of Universal Credit also applies to refugees with leave to remain.

EEA migrants and Third Country Nationals
 

Migrants have differing rights to social housing according to their immigration status. While we welcome applications from those looking to live, work or study in the UK, we must make sure the applicant is not subject to immigration control and has an entitlement to a Scottish Secure Tenancy.

Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme
 

The Scottish Government is committed to welcoming 2000 Syrian nationals through the Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme. Scotland has already welcomed a number of refugees from Syria through the VPR scheme.

We helped local authorities to access temporary and permanent homes for this customer group.

The VPR scheme is operated through the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme which identifies particularly vulnerable individuals and families for relocation to the UK.

Translation services 
 

If English is not your first language we can help you through our interpreting service. Please contact us on 0800 479 7979.

Who do we work with to support refugees?
 

We support the Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network. This body conducts research and evaluation on migration, refugees and the asylum process. The network consults on migration-related policy in the UK and internationally.

We work closely with The Scottish Refugee Council and support its Holistic Integration Service.

Migrant Help service
 

If you are an asylum seeker and live in Scotland, please continue calling Migrant Help service on 0808 8010 503.

Positive Action in Housing
 

Positive Action in Housing is an independent, anti-racist homelessness and human rights charity dedicated to supporting women, children and men from refugee and migrant backgrounds to rebuild their lives. Find out more at https://www.paih.org/ or by phone on 0141 353 3882.