There are a number of facilities across the country, including here in West Sussex, that provide contingency accommodation to both people seeking asylum in the UK and people settling here as refugees. These are sometimes hotels used temporarily when no other safe options are available.
All contingency accommodation facilities for both asylum seekers and refugees are run by the government.
Contingency accommodation for people seeking asylum in the UK is managed by the Home Office.
Asylum seekers are people who have fled their own country to seek protection in another country by applying for refugee status.
Contingency accommodation for refugees is managed by the Ministry of Defence.
Refugees in the UK are people who have left their own country and come here under a government approved resettlement scheme. These schemes offer a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection.
Most people who come to the UK in these situations are often fleeing very dangerous circumstances in their own country. This can include war, violence, natural disasters and other factors that put theirs and their families’ lives at risk. They usually come here as a last resort, but they want to build a better life for themselves and look to integrate with communities here.
Contingency accommodation supports them to do so temporarily while longer-term solutions are found.