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Oxfordshire Homeless Movement

Submitted by Yvonne Pinner on

Oxfordshire’s Housing First Model Cuts Costs, Prevents Homelessness for Asylum Seekers.

8th July, 2025Big Issue

A pioneering project in Oxfordshire is offering a humane and cost-effective alternative to housing asylum seekers in hotels — saving thousands of pounds per person while supporting long-term stability.

A recent article in The Big Issue spotlighted the NRPF Housing First Project, led locally by Oxfordshire Homeless Movement and its partners, as a model of best practice — offering a humane and cost-effective alternative to housing asylum seekers in hotels.

Since 2021, Oxfordshire Homeless Movement has been working with local partners to provide housing and tailored support for people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). These are individuals who are not eligible for most government benefits and often end up sleeping rough or stuck in unsuitable hotel accommodation.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Connection Support, Asylum Welcome, Edge Housing, and Soha Housing, the NRPF Housing First Project has so far supported over 50 people. The model is simple but powerful: provide safe, shared housing alongside personalised support with immigration issues, health, employment, and wellbeing.

Crucially, it works — and it’s six times cheaper than hotel accommodation. The cost per person is around £6,870 per year, compared to an estimated £41,000 in hotel settings.

One resident, Adam*, described how the project gave him the safety and stability he’d lost after fleeing Algeria. “Being inside again gave me dignity, food, and the chance to recover,” he said.

As the national conversation continues around ending the use of asylum hotels, this Oxfordshire model shows that alternatives not only exist — they’re already delivering results.

We’re proud to be part of a partnership that puts dignity, community and practical support at the heart of housing. With the right investment, this approach could offer a way forward for communities across the UK.

*Name changed to protect identity.

 

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