Funding to deliver housing models supporting those in the migration, asylum and trafficking systems

Commonweal Housing is offering funding to frontline organisations across the UK to design and develop new housing and support models targeted at vulnerable migrants, those in the asylum system and survivors of human trafficking.

Through the Call for New Ideas programme, the charity is inviting not-for-profits to submit proposals for new and imaginative housing projects that address the injustices faced by migrant groups, people seeking sanctuary – refugees and asylum seekers – and survivors of trafficking.

Funding is available for up-to three organisations to receive between £5,000-10,000 each to undertake further research to assess the proposed model’s viability.

If the feasibility study determines the model is operational, Commonweal works with its partners to develop the idea into a housing pilot project by acquiring bespoke properties to test the model in full. Successful applicants would be responsible for managing and operating the housing project. Commonweal would support partners throughout the project development stage until the end of its life cycle, including working with partners to collect and share learnings to promote best practice across the sector.

This iteration of Call for New Ideas is exclusively focused on Migration, Asylum and Human Trafficking – a priority area of the charity’s work. To help guide the focus of the Call, Commonweal commissioned Professor Phil Brown to conduct research exploring the housing challenges faced by those in the migration, asylum and trafficking systems.

In respect of the learnings from this report, the charity is especially interested in ideas for housing projects that:

• Address transition points between and within systems that drive housing insecurity (such as asylum to refugee status, family reunification, the NRM lifecycle, unaccompanied minors to adulthood etc.)
• Support survivors of trafficking, both non-UK and UK nationals.
• Demonstrate possible long term cost savings benefits for the government through focusing on community integration or employability support, as examples.

The research identified transitions between and within systems as critical points that can lead to homelessness and poor living conditions. For example, individuals transitioning out of asylum accommodation after obtaining refugee status often experience homelessness due to unaffordable housing options in the private rented sector and a lack of social housing.

In addition, family reunification can lead to increased housing pressures caused by overcrowding in their current homes, often requiring a move to temporary housing to accommodate family joiners.  

The report shows survivors of human trafficking often encounter housing stress, poor health and wellbeing and the risk of re-exploitation when entering and exiting the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – the government’s system for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery.

Commonweal has over 15 years of experience supporting its partners to trial and test housing-based solutions to tackle social injustice impacting marginalised groups. This marks the sixth opening of the Call for New Ideas programme since being established by the charity in 2020, with many projects entering the project development process.

Applications are open until 5pm on Monday 4 November 2024. 

Amy Doyle, Deputy Chief Executive at Commonweal Housing, said: The insights from Prof. Phil Brown’s report have been instrumental in our Call to the sector for imaginative housing solutions to address the injustices experienced by individuals within migration, asylum, and trafficking systems.

“We invite organisations that are eager to develop a housing model that can offer valuable insights and lessons for the wider sector to reach out to us. If you have a creative idea that you wish to bring to fruition with the support of Commonweal’s expertise, please get in touch to share your proposal.”

Full information and an application form can be found here

Prospective applicants can get in touch with Commonweal Housing to discuss potential ideas and ask any questions at apply@commonweal.org.uk