Recent reports of rising homelessness among refugee households reflect what Catholic organisations, parishes, and volunteers across London are witnessing every day. Many people who have fled conflict, persecution, and danger are now being pushed into life on the streets or trapped in unsafe, insecure accommodation.
This is a direct result of hostile policies including: the ban on work for people seeking asylum; ‘no recourse to public funds’ rules that push people into destitution; and rapid evictions from statutory accommodation when people are recognised as refugees.
As the Jesuit Refugee Service UK report Destitute and in Danger highlights, people seeking sanctuary increasingly endure long periods of rough sleeping or sofa surfing, often with devastating consequences. Joyce, who spent years on the streets and in insecure accommodation after arriving in the UK, shared her experience: “For women, it can be even worse because some men take advantage of them because they are vulnerable. They sometimes end up forcing themselves into relationships they don’t want to be in so they have a roof over their heads.”
No one who has already been forced to flee their home should be left without a roof over their head when they arrive here. This Lent, we invite Catholics to pray for our sisters and brothers who are displaced, destitute, and at risk. We also urge people to contact their local representatives about the urgent need for safe, good‑quality accommodation for everyone who finds themselves homeless, including those seeking sanctuary.
If you are able to volunteer or donate, please consider supporting one of the many Catholic initiatives working tirelessly to accompany and welcome refugees and others experiencing homelessness. Together, we can help to build a society where every person seeking sanctuary is met with compassion, dignity, and a place to call home.
The Westminster Justice and Peace Commission promotes action and reflection on peace and social justice in the Diocese of Westminster, in the light of the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.
Caritas Southwark‘s work includes supporting those suffering from food poverty, helping refugees and migrants and improving the lives of the elderly and the young.
