4.14.4.6. Housing
Beneficiaries of international protection continued to face several challenges in transitioning from reception to mainstream accommodation, for example in Belgium, Cyprus,European Council on Refugees and Exiles. (2022). Input to the Asylum Report 2022. https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/European_Council_on_… Greece, France,European Council on Refugees and Exiles. (2022). Input to the Asylum Report 2022. https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/European_Council_on_… IrelandEuropean Council on Refugees and Exiles. (2022). Input to the Asylum Report 2022. https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/European_Council_on_… and the Netherlands. For example, in Greece, HumanRights360 reported on some of the practical barriers that beneficiaries face in transitioning from reception to mainstream housing. Since March 2020, recognised beneficiaries must move out from reception 30 days after their recognition. However, they only become entitled to rent allowance with a registered housing contract of at least 6 months and a bank account, which is different from the one where they received financial support during reception. In addition, beneficiaries often have difficulties in communicating with apartment owners due to the lack of sufficient Greek.HumanRights360. (2022). Input to the Asylum Report 2022. https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/helsinki_foundation_… Indeed, a policy brief developed in the frames of the RESPOND project highlighted that the ESTIA and HELIOS programmes must be linked to prevent homelessness.Papatzani, E., Leivaditi, N., & Aggelos, Ilias, Petracou, Electra. (2020). Rudimentary Integration Policies in Greece: Not a priority for Greek government policies. Policy Brief 16. RESPOND Project. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fH_2WDlk6tnaUY2dqmOFvqbnNrqQ2_B-/view
In order to facilitate this transition in Italy, UNHCR, the Association of Legal Studies on Immigration (ASGI) and the National Unitary Union of Tenants and Assignees (SUNIA) published a guide to housing autonomy for beneficiaries of international protection. The guide notes some of the barriers that beneficiaries face in accessing public or private rental markets, including communicating with a potential owner.United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration | Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull'Immigrazione, & National Unitary Trade Union, Inquilines and Assignees | Sindacato Unitario Nazionale Inquilini ed Assegnatari. (February 2021). The Refugee House: Guide to housing autonomy for beneficiaries of international protection in Italy. https://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/AnteprimaPDF.aspx?id=1703
The Dutch State Secretary for Justice and Security announced in March 2021 that 11,000 beneficiaries of international protection (permit holders or vergunninghouders) should be accommodated in municipalities by the end of 2021. This number was lower than originally expected at the end of 2020 (with an estimated 13,500 persons). Government | Rijksoverheid. (2021, March 29). Komend halfjaar woningen nodig voor 11.000 vergunninghouders [Homes needed for 11,000 permit holders in the coming six months]. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2021/03/29/komend-halfjaar-… To support municipalities in reaching this target, the Integrated Guide for Reception, Housing and Civic Integration was drafted and published in February 2021.Ministry of Justice and Security | Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid. (2021, February 12). Integrale Handreiking voor opvang, huisvesting en inburgering [Integrated Guidelines for reception, housing and integration]. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/brieven/2021/02/12/begeleidende… The estimates were reviewed in October 2021 for the first half of 2022 and concluded that 10,000 beneficiaries will be in need of housing. Even though many recognised beneficiaries of international protection continued to remain in reception facilities longer than needed, the drop in places was due to fewer people arriving through family reunificationMinistry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations | Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties. (2021, October 1). Taakstelling huisvesting vergunninghouders eerste helft 2022 [Target for housing permit holders in the first half of 2022]. https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/asielbeleid/documenten/brieven… (see Section 4.7).
In Portugal, the High Commission for Migration and the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation signed a cooperation protocol to provide adequate access to housing to migrant populations, including to beneficiaries of international protection.European Website on Integration. (2021, June 24). Portugal: New protocol promotes adequate access to housing. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/portugal-new-protocol-pro… To facilitate access to housing, a pilot project was launched by the civil society organisation Association to Support the Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees (AIIR) to promote accommodation and integration of refugee families in rural villages, while guaranteeing living and working conditions.European Website on Integration. (2021, July 19). Portugal: Innovative project welcomes refugees and repopulates villages. https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/portugal-innovative-proje…
