The governmental cap of 90 days for accommodation support may leave numerous Ukrainian refugees without homes from this week. From March 14th onwards, Ukrainians who entered Ireland have been availing State-backed housing. This support is due to cease this week under the recent adjustments to the Government’s aid scheme.
Several Ukrainians reportedly met with requests to abandon their state-funded housing on Wednesday, but prompt provision of alternative accommodation ensured their plight was not severe. Yet, considering nearly 200 Ukrainians made their way into Ireland in the first week of June, and roughly 28 landing daily in May, civil society groups warn that dozens could be living on the streets within weeks.
John Lannon, the CEO of Doras in Limerick, stated that Ukrainian refugees have been informed that homeless services are off-limits for them. They were explicitly told that their possessions would be removed from their assigned living centres and deposited elsewhere, from which point they are responsible for their future arrangements once they cross the 90-day threshold.
Lannon added that despite all endeavours by support agencies and associations, some families have been unsuccessful in securing accommodation beyond their deadline to exit the centre. He expressed worries about the possibility of individuals in desperate circumstances being manipulated or conned.
According to Lannon, “a span of three months is insufficient to establish necessary connections to gain employment, thereby impacting everyone. However, families, in particular, struggle to find solutions that will save them from becoming street dwellers.”
Since the Government amended its housing regulations in March, a total of 2,228 Ukrainians, incorporating 580 children, have landed in Ireland. Over 60 per cent of these received state-provided accommodations.
While the weekly influx saw a minor decline in mid-April with 128 individuals, it gradually ratcheted up to 202 by the end of May and 184 in the initial week of June. More Ukrainian men (1,184) than women (1,044), have applied for temporary shelter in Ireland post-March, a trend that deviates from the data of 2022 and 2023, when the majority of arrivals were women and children.
In December, a resolution was passed by the Government to curtail the weekly benefit for Ukrainian refugees from €220 in job seekers’ allowance to €38.80 per grown-up and €29.80 per child. Support for accommodation has also been restricted.
The new housing policy ensures that Ukrainians who register for a short-term asylum are accommodated for three months in any of the five specific housing centres spread across Limerick, Kildare, Cork, and Waterford. After moving from these centres, Ukrainians are at liberty to apply for regular social welfare assistance on par with Irish residents, on meeting the appropriate criteria, as stated by an official from the Department of Integration.
From March, Ukrainians seeking shelter have been provided with extensive support to find independent housing. This includes efforts to accept pledged houses not subject to the 90-day rule, according to the official.
Every week, approximately 30 individuals move out from these specially appointed housing centres, out of which 55% secure private accommodations and 24% have found residences via pledged houses. The rest have either left Ireland or chosen not to disclose their arrangements.
The number of Ukrainians living in state-sponsored housing has decreased from 60,000 in November 2023 to just below 45,000 in June 2024.
Former UN migration employee, Olivia Headon, who is currently volunteering with homeless men seeking asylum, criticised the government for their presumption that recent arrivals possess the community networks and financial capability to find suitable lodgings. She added, “Those without ample resources often resort to the cheapest alternative, as seen with other susceptible groups. Additionally, newcomers may be unaware of their rights, making them prone to exploitative situations.”
She further highlighted that the previous two-tier support arrangement for Ukrainians and other refugees was being phased out by reducing support rather than augmenting protection for all refugees and people seeking asylum.