Birmingham City Council

Housing Information for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

If you have come to Birmingham from overseas and need help, you can find information here about where you can get support.

What you need to do and who you should approach depend on your circumstances.

Asylum seekers

An asylum seeker is someone who has fled from their home country and is seeking protection in the UK.

Asylum seekers are given temporary admission whilst the government, UK Border Agency decides if they can stay permanently.

Some asylum seekers are given temporary accommodation in Birmingham.

  • Children who are alone (unaccompanied asylum seeker children)
  • Families and single adults.

The UKBA places single adults and families in temporary accommodation and most are living in shared housing provided by private landlords.

To find out more see our frequently asked questions for asylum seekers or please use the links at the bottom of this page.

Refugees

A refugee is someone who has been given leave to remain in the UK after fleeing their home country.

Refugees are entitled to live and work in the UK and to claim benefits and housing from the council or from housing associations.

You are treated as a refugee if you are given:

  • full refugee status
  • humanitarian protection
  • discretionary leave.

To find out more see our frequently asked questions for refugees or please use the links below.

For asylum seekers:

  • Refugee Council West Midlands Office
    Monday to Friday (9.30am to 4.30pm, closed Tuesdays)
    All interviews are by appointment only - if you go to the office without an appointment you will not be seen
  • phone: 0808 808 2255
  • fax: 0121 236 7864
  • Write to:
    Refugee Council,
    5 Stone Road
    Birmingham, B15 2HH

For refugees:

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