A charity has raised concerns that the number of asylum seekers in Cardiff falling into homelessness is increasing. An agreement between the Home Office and the Welsh Government which allowed refused asylum seekers to access accommodation was recently lifted and Oasis Cardiff said it is already seeing an increase in homelessness among asylum seekers who have received negative decisions.
This means they have been refused refugee status by the UK Government. At a Cardiff Council community and adult services scrutiny committee meeting, Oasis Cardiff deputy CEO Richard Eynon said: "We are seeing more and more asylum seekers getting negative decisions. They are falling into homelessness. I know of 10 cases who are already homeless and are already taking up bed space at the Huggard here in Cardiff.
"It is one [concern] that was on the horizon and I think sadly it has come at the same time as Welsh Government not carrying on the everyone in policy and so there is going to be an ongoing issue I think with negative sensations." Asylum seekers who are refused refugee status have no recourse to public funds (NRPF). This means they have no access to welfare benefits and housing.
