The Migrant Project at Glass Door Homeless Charity

It's Refugee Week in the UK, so we’re taking the opportunity to spotlight the specialist work we do across our services at Glass Door Homeless Charity to support refugees and those seeking safety and asylum.

Find out what the Migrant Project is and learn how we support migrants experiencing homelessness at Glass Door from Anna and Frances on the project team. 

At Glass Door Homeless Charity, we believe no one should experience homelessness in London, but this vision cannot be realised without addressing the unique needs of migrants facing homelessness.  

Migrants, especially those with insecure or unclear immigration status, are disproportionately affected by legal, structural, and societal barriers that prevent access to housing, benefits, and other essential services.  

Our strategy focuses on advocating for systemic changes while providing tailored support to migrant guests. We aim to reduce migrant homelessness and improve pathways to secure status, housing and a more stable future. 

What is the Migrant Project at Glass Door Homeless Charity?   

The Migrant Project is a small but effective team that sits within the broader casework service. We assess cases and create a pathway out of homelessness for migrant guests. We have several staff members trained to undertake EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) cases and an OISC level 2 caseworker who can also advise on asylum and immigration matters.  

Through the Migrant Project, we support: 

• Homeless and vulnerably housed EU Nationals who have leave to remain in the UK and those who require support with applying to the EU Settlement Scheme  

• Non-UK Nationals who are claiming asylum, have refugee status or other forms of leave to remain 

• Individuals who have insecure or unclear immigration status.  

How we support guests with this project  

The Migrant Project has three strands: 

1. Casework: We believe everyone should have access to free, impartial and good quality immigration advice. 

2. Partnerships: We are committed to partnership work across sectors supporting destitute migrants; by sharing expertise, pooling limited resources and working collaboratively, we can provide more comprehensive and appropriate support for migrant guests.  

3. Policy influence and change: We undertake advocacy to influence national and local government policy and practice in response to homeless migrants. 

Casework is the backbone of the Migrant Project, informing partnerships and advocacy work. 

Caseworkers are provided with training, information and resources to support migrant guests and identify those requiring assistance with an outstanding immigration or asylum related matter.   

The challenges  

Frances, Migrant Project Caseworker at Glass Door Homeless Charity 

Every guest is unique in terms of the facts of their history in and outside of the UK, and the impact it may have on their lives. Some of the issues they might be facing include: 

• Trauma  

• Mental health issues 

• Physical health issues 

• Language barriers 

• No money 

• Fear due to modern slavery, domestic abuse, unlawful presence in the UK 

• Delays – there is a significant backlog for asylum claims. It typically takes 2+ years for a decision on a complex case   

• Lack of solicitors and legal aid. 

How we can resolve a guest’s homelessness is always a priority. This can sometimes happen quickly, for example, an asylum seeker can request emergency accommodation and asylum support as soon as they have made their asylum claim. It's great to get a quick win, but it rarely ends there as the guest may need further advocacy and support to find a solicitor, healthcare, etc.  

A lot of cases take much longer to resolve, especially if the guest has a complex history in the UK. This may involve a significant evidentiary challenge for the guest. Once they have surmounted that hurdle, it can still be difficult to find a solicitor with the funds and capacity to take the case.  

Maria’s* story  

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of our guest 

We worked with Maria, who had pre-settled status under the European Settlement Scheme. She was long-term homeless and had stayed in the Glass Door Winter Night Shelter for the past four seasons.   

She was very unwell in terms of her mental health, with very low insight into her own health. She was unable to sustain work and was not entitled to benefits.   

In the Summer of 2020, the previous Migrant Project caseworker helped to get her pre-settled status. She was then entitled to apply for settled status, which would mean she would be eligible for housing and benefits. She could not get off the streets until this was achieved, but she was struggling to engage in a meaningful way.   

In September 2024, she was referred to the Migrant Project again. After some missed appointments and delays, a caseworker supported Maria and persuaded her to engage, also helping to get her passport application accepted. Then she was finally ready to submit her application in March 2025. She was granted settled status in May 2025. Now she has access to benefits and is well on her way to being housed. 

Why our work is important 

By providing tailored services to migrants experiencing homelessness and advocating for systemic reforms, we can ensure that all migrants, regardless of immigration status, have access to secure housing, legal support, and the opportunity to build a stable life in London. Through sustained advocacy, partnerships, and casework, we strive to create a future where no one experiences homelessness.