Charden is an asylum seeker living in Newcastle: he is also a student at Northumbria University, having won a scholarship on the basis of his academic merit. Charden was initially refused interim support as an Asylum Seeker, but this was overturned by the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration Courts in November 2019. It was decided by the Judge that Charden should receive housing support and the money that all Asylum Seekers receive, in part because he had been granted a scholarship, and because withholding those would make it impossible for him to access education.

Charden was assured by MEARS, the Asylum Housing Provider in the North East, that he would be housed in Newcastle so that he could continue his studies. On the day of the move, however, he was informed that he would be moved to Wakefield in South Yorkshire instead. He refused to go, and explained that he would be unable to attend his lectures and access University facilities if he did. Twelve days later, he was again asked to move, and informed that he would be transported to Hartlepool. Hartlepool is an hour’s train journey from his University, and the cost of getting to and from lectures would be greater than the money he’d receive to live on.

Charden has been put in an absurd and impossible position: he has a right to access housing because of his studies, yet all housing arranged for him makes it impossible for him to study. If he refuses to move, there’s a risk his support could be withdrawn; if he moves, he loses the very reason support has been offered to him. 

If he moves out of the area, Charden would have no chance to continue his university course, would lose contact with his friends and coursemates, and would be torn from the community he calls home. He would also be at risk of being placed in unsafe and unhygienic accommodation: tenants of asylum housing in Wakefield have raised numerous complaints of unsafe conditions, overcrowding, and inadequate access to amenities (https://www.symaag.org.uk/2020/02/18/like-a-prison-discussions-with-people-inside-urban-house-initial-accommodation-centre-wakefield/ 

As Charden.’s friends, we demand:

• That Charden. be housed in commuting distance of his University by MEARS
• That Charden is not punished for refusing to go out of area, and that his future NASS payments are not effected in any way.
• That asylum seekers are not moved into overcrowded accommodation - especially during the Coronavirus Pandemic