Emergency Housing for Asylum Seekers: How to Access

Last updated: 16 September 2026

Photo: United Nations - Michele Ursino

Emergency housing for asylum seekers is essential for those who arrive without resources or who lose their accommodation during the asylum process. Most major asylum jurisdictions provide some form of emergency accommodation — though through different mechanisms, with different eligibility criteria, and varying levels of quality. Furthermore, asylum seekers facing homelessness should know both the formal state mechanisms and the charity/community networks that supplement them. As a result, the practical landscape of emergency housing is best understood as a combination of state and civil society resources. This article maps the principal routes for asylum seekers seeking emergency accommodation across major jurisdictions.[1]

United Kingdom: Section 98 and Section 95

In the UK, emergency housing for asylum seekers operates through Section 98 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Section 98 provides temporary accommodation while a Section 95 application is being decided — typically lasting days to weeks. Furthermore, the route is: (1) Submit asylum claim; (2) Apply for support via Migrant Help; (3) Receive Section 98 accommodation immediately if destitute; (4) Transition to Section 95 accommodation once approved. As a result, the UK system has a formal emergency mechanism. However, hotels have been used extensively for Section 98 since 2020, with significant criticism. Therefore, applicants should apply via Migrant Help as soon as they face destitution.[2]

The Migrant Help process

Migrant Help is the charity contracted by the Home Office to administer asylum support applications. Telephone: 0808 8010 503 (free). Furthermore, Migrant Help: (1) Receives applications; (2) Provides immediate assessment of destitution; (3) Arranges emergency accommodation via Section 98; (4) Refers cases to the Home Office for Section 95 decision. As a result, Migrant Help is the principal gateway to UK asylum housing. Therefore, the first practical step for newly-arrived asylum seekers facing destitution is calling Migrant Help.[3]

United States: Limited Federal Provision

The US provides no federal emergency housing programme for asylum seekers comparable to the UK Section 98. Asylum seekers must rely on: (1) Family/community networks; (2) Faith-based shelters; (3) NGO shelters (RAICES, KIND, ASRC equivalents); (4) State and city emergency shelter systems (NYC, Chicago, LA have asylum-seeker programmes); (5) Faith-based hospitality networks. Furthermore, since 2022, large US cities have responded to increased arrivals with city-level emergency housing — though provision varies. As a result, the US system is highly localised. Therefore, asylum seekers should contact local refugee-serving organisations as the first practical step.[4]

Canada: Provincial Shelters and Refugee Houses

Canada provides emergency accommodation through provincial shelter systems and specialist refugee houses. Major urban shelters: Toronto's Sojourn House, COSTI shelters, Salvation Army; Montreal's PRAIDA; Vancouver's Inland Refugee Society. Furthermore, specialist refugee organisations like Romero House (Toronto), Matthew House Refugee Reception Centre, FCJ Refugee Centre provide both shelter and comprehensive services. As a result, Canada has a well-developed (if capacity-constrained) emergency housing network. Therefore, asylum seekers should contact specialist refugee organisations immediately on arrival.[5]

European Union: Reception Centres

EU rules under the Reception Conditions Directive require Member States to provide reception conditions including accommodation. Germany operates Erstaufnahmeeinrichtungen (initial reception centres). France: CADA (Centres d'accueil pour demandeurs d'asile) for asylum seekers, HUDA for emergency. Italy: SAI (Sistema di accoglienza e integrazione) and CAS (Centri di accoglienza straordinaria). Furthermore, the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (2024) standardises some elements. As a result, the EU provides systematic but variable reception conditions. Therefore, asylum seekers should access the formal reception system at the point of asylum application.[6]

"Member States shall ensure that material reception conditions provide an adequate standard of living for applicants, which guarantees their subsistence and protects their physical and mental health."EU Reception Conditions Directive 2013/33/EU, Article 17(2)

Ireland: Direct Provision

Ireland's Direct Provision system houses asylum seekers in centres operated by private contractors on behalf of IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service). Direct Provision has been heavily criticised: long stays (sometimes years); centralised meals; lack of privacy; limited family living arrangements. Furthermore, the Irish government committed in 2021 to phasing out Direct Provision by 2024, but implementation has been slow. As a result, asylum seekers in Ireland may face Direct Provision for extended periods. Therefore, Ireland's accommodation system requires specific awareness and advocacy.[7]

Charity and Community Network

Across jurisdictions, charity and community networks supplement state provision. Key actors include: (1) Faith-based organisations (Catholic Worker, Lutheran refugee services, Jewish refugee aid, Islamic relief, etc.); (2) Country-of-origin diaspora organisations; (3) Specialist refugee charities; (4) Local community centres; (5) "Sanctuary Movement" networks providing accommodation. Furthermore, online networks (Refugees Welcome, Couchsurfing for refugees) provide additional informal options. As a result, charity provision fills gaps in state systems. Therefore, asylum seekers should engage multiple sources simultaneously.[8]

Legal Rights

Asylum seekers have legal rights to accommodation in most jurisdictions. UK: Section 98 entitlement is enforceable; failure can be challenged via judicial review. EU: Reception Conditions Directive Article 17 creates enforceable rights. Canada: provincial human rights codes and specific refugee provisions. Furthermore, where the state fails to provide adequate accommodation, legal remedies are available. As a result, asylum seekers should not simply accept inadequate provision. Therefore, legal representation can be helpful in housing disputes.[9]

Vulnerable Persons

Vulnerable asylum seekers — including pregnant women, families with young children, unaccompanied minors, torture survivors, persons with serious health conditions — have priority claims to suitable accommodation. UK: Adults at Risk policy applies; suitable accommodation considerations. EU: Reception Conditions Directive Article 21-25 (vulnerable persons). Furthermore, where accommodation is inappropriate for vulnerability (e.g., hotel rooms for families with young children), legal challenges are possible. As a result, vulnerability assessments should be communicated immediately. Therefore, asylum seekers and their representatives should ensure vulnerability is documented and considered in accommodation allocation.[10]

Conclusion: Multiple Routes, Same Urgency

Emergency housing for asylum seekers is provided through different mechanisms in different jurisdictions, but the urgency is universal — homelessness compounds the trauma and difficulty of the asylum process. Furthermore, the combination of state provision and charity network typically provides at least a minimal safety net. As a result, asylum seekers should engage multiple routes simultaneously and not accept rough sleeping. Therefore, immediate action through both formal and charity channels is the recommended approach.