IFHP Housing Refugees Programme Deventer workshop on Refugee Housing in the EU 19-20 October 2015 1
Content Refugees, Asylum-seekers and IDPs Establishing the Facts Global Overview European Overview Housing for Refugees Background Methodology Refugee Housing in the EU First Assessment Questionnaires National level Local level 2
Global overview Refugees situation (UNHCR, 2014) Refugee: A person who meets the eligibility criteria under the applicable refugee definition, as provided for in international or regional refugee instruments, under UNHCR s mandate, and/or in national legislation. (UNHCR, 2006) 3
Global overview Asylum-seekers situation Asylum-Seeker: individual who is seeking international protection. In countries with individualized procedures, an asylum-seeker is someone whose claim has not yet been finally decided on by the country in which he or she has submitted it. Not every asylum-seeker will ultimately be recognized as a refugee, but every refugee is initially an asylumseeker. (UNHCR, 2006) (UNHCR, 2014) 4
Global overview IDPs situation (UNHCR, 2014) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Those persons forced or obliged to flee from their homes, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflicts, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border. (UNHCR, 2006) 5
(UNHCR, 2015) 6
(Wikimedia Commons, 2015 & UNHCR, 2015) 7
Housing for Refugees Background The 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees contains two articles relating to housing for refugees: Article 21 - Housing. As regards housing, the Contracting States, in so far as the matter is regulated by laws or regulations or is subject to the control of public authorities, shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances. Article 26 - Freedom of movement. Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully in its territory the right to choose their place of residence to move freely within its territory, subject to any regulations applicable to aliens generally in the same circumstances. (Geneva 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees) 8
Housing for Refugees Background Shelter is a basic human right and necessity. The conditions in which people live determine to a great extent their health, well-being and ability to engage in gainful occupation, pursue self-improvement through education and recreation and in consequence attain a decent standard of living. (ECRE Position Paper on Integration of Refugees in the Europe, Appendix 2 Housing) 9
Methodology - Assessment of the status quo on housing of refugees in the different European member states First assessment based on literature review The data was gathered through a questionnaire sent to experts and to IFHP correspondents in the different countries - Compilation of the questionnaires and general assessment 10 member states (on a total of 11 replies) answered the questionnaire Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden - Grouping the answers within different topics - Key findings report 10
Refugee Housing in the EU First assessment - EU countries divided by the absence of a holistic European housing policy and differing national and regional policy and resources; - Many EU member states face a housing market shortage; Mainly social and affordable sectors. - Refugees face multiple obstacles in gaining access to adequate housing across the EU: lower housing and social support subsidies; complex allocation processes; chance of being stigmatized by the private rental housing sector. 11
Refugee Housing in the EU First assessment Of the many challenges to be dealt with, three are prominent across Europe in connection with the present flows of migrants: - Housing Policy & Affordable Housing Allocation - Concentration or diffusion? High competition for affordable housing amplified by domestic housing policy; Social and affordable housing shortage; Varied housing allocation process and practices among countries and within countries. - Zoning & Planning Regulation Rigid regulation which limits the reuse of existing spaces for housing e.g. conversion of vacant office space, schools and industrial facilities to support temporary housing. - Housing & Integration Housing and integration are often conceived under separate authorities; Social considerations such as proximity to family, employment opportunities, education and community relationship are integral for permanent housing places to become homes. 12
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires 1. Refugee Housing at National Governmental Level a) Main points on the national policy to house refugees? b) Refugee housing distributed across the country? c) Main organizations involved in the housing process? 2. Refugee Housing at Local/Regional Level a) Municipal authorities role in housing refugees? b) How do municipal authorities house refugees and how is refugee housing distributed within municipal districts? 3. Housing Challenges 4. Housing Solutions 5. Further relevant information 13
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires National level 1. Refugee Housing at National Governmental Level a) Main points on the national policy to house refugees? Different housing market systems among countries (ratio between private and social rented sector; social and affordable housing schemes and subsidies; etc.) Different approach to the accommodation and reception of refugees Lack of an European guideline on housing issues towards refugees reception system, housing allocation, rent allowances. 14
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires National level 1. Refugee Housing at National Governmental Level b) Refugee housing distributed across the country? quota system availability of housing centralized reception centres spread reception centres and temporary reception facilities 15
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires National level 1. Refugee Housing at National Governmental Level c) Main organizations involved in the housing process? Ministries (Interior; Health and Social Affairs; Employment; etc.) Migration Agencies Regional Administration Services and Municipalities UNHCR Red Cross NGO s Citizens 16
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires National level - Summary Distribution of Refugees from Temporary to Permanent Housing - Considerable differences in refugee accommodation provision among European Union countries; - Municipalities yield shelter for refugees on the basis of a quota system or availability of housing Austria, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden - Refugees have to find their own accommodation in the private or public sector; Czech Republic, Poland and Portugal In these cases there are normally centralized reception centres where the refugees are welcomed upon arrival and stay until finding their own place. - Several reception centres and temporary reception facilities spread across the country to host refugees and asylum seekers. Spain and France 17
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires National level Summary National Housing shortages - European countries express a shortage of Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden general lack of housing units specially on the affordable sector; Poland - housing stock strongly dominated by the private sector; - An increasing shortage of social and affordable housing risk of increasingly high housing costs; - Municipalities, NGOs and other refugee organizations commonly act as a liaison between landlords and refugees 18
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires Local/Regional level 2. Refugee Housing at Local/Regional Level a) Municipal authorities role in housing refugees? Diverse picture among countries Diverse picture among municipalities within the same country b) How do municipal authorities house refugees and how is refugee housing distributed within municipal districts? Diverse from country to country From public buildings to hotels, churches, tents, etc. 19
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires Municipal/Local level Summary Housing Allocation Diverse ways to receive and accommodate refugees; Austria, Czech Republic and Denmark - each municipality decides on where and how refugees are accommodated; Spain is currently leveraging existing empty flats from public and private social housing, left by the housing boom (2000-2006); In Berlin (Germany), the municipality will not commit additional funding for special refugee housing programmes instead it will triple the budget for new housing developments 20
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires Municipal/Local level Summary Integration - Denmark, Portugal and Sweden limited social benefits Sweden refers that the cost of an apartment decides the area a refugee will afford to live; Portugal reports that refugees tend to overstay in the reception centres; - Reductions in social welfare risk of accentuated segregation problems in the future. - The Netherlands distribution model segregation problems can better be avoided; - Many municipalities involve local actors (housing corporations, NGOs, local churches, and other organizations) in planning and finding suitable locations and solutions for housing refugees. 21
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires Challenges - Lack of guidelines and regulations - General shortage of housing units - Tax and subsidies schemes - Allocation processes - The location of housing within a city or municipality can have significant impacts on local integration capacity - Often affordable housing options for refugees are based within areas of significant low cost or social housing units; 22
Refugee Housing in the EU Questionnaires Opportunities - Promote access to adequate standards for refugees housing; - Raise awareness to the need of guidelines and regulations; - Creation of schemes to make the price of housing adequate to those without resources - Adress the key actors national and local governments; landlords; housing associations; Refugees aid NGOs; local citizens associations; - Prevent and reduce possible discrimination situations; - Smaller municipalities more easily accessible local communities and networks offering refugees a softer integration process; 23
However, - General will across the different countries, in finding new alternatives and solutions to house refugees; - Civil society driven movements are becoming more and more common; - The role of the different actors and the creation of partnerships among associations, citizens, among others has been a major asset in assisting and helping this crisis. 24
General conclusion - Shelter is a basic human right and necessity; - There are considerable differences in housing provision for refugees in European states resulting from the inexistence of guidelines and regulations; - European governments/regional bodies should introduce regulations and guidelines regarding housing for refugees; - Need to create funded programmes to encourage national governments and local authorities on the implementation of housing strategies for refugees; - Create suitable subsidies and allocation schemes: - Housing allowances and subsidies should not be tied to residence in a specific area; - The access to the private rental market should be facilitated (e.g. development of refugees rent-guarantee schemes); - Politicians and public opinion leaders should provide guidance to the debate regarding refugees acceptance and connect that with the countries opportunities in integrating refugees. Deventer, 19-20 October, 2015 25
Thank you for listening IFHP Housing Refugees Programme Deventer workshop on Refugee Housing in the EU 19-20 October 2015 Andreia Fidalgo a.fidalgo@ifhp.org Deventer, 19-20 October, 2015 26