Stuck in the middle

Abstract

Given the increasing number of people seeking refuge in Belgium and across Europe more broadly, it is essential that governments assume responsibility for the integration of refugees into society. An essential aspect of this process is the provision of a durable path from shelter to housing. Choosing a place of residence, and the success in obtaining suitable housing conditions, are factors that significantly shape the integration process. In the context of refugee settlement in Belgium, however, asylum and migration policies to date have been predominantly focused on tackling temporary crises with little consideration paid to long-term integration and housing strategies. Due to separated policy competences (reception at the federal policy level, and housing at the regional level), and the absence of a sense of responsibility from both Flemish (regional) and federal government, voluntary organisations have developed significant roles at the local level in the transition from shelter to housing, and in further housing needs of recognised refugees. Achieving this transition is impeded by capacity problems, discrimination, lack of local social networks, and limited timeframes. Using the concept of path dependency as a theoretical starting point, this article employs qualitative methods to highlight the impact of both asylum policies and the spatial characteristics of reception centres on transitions towards more permanent housing. Recommendations for refugee accommodation are made to enhance the transition from shelter to housing. Finally, it addresses alternative housing projects that are conducive to social integration as well as to the transition of refugees to the regular housing market.

Residing without settling: Housing market and tactics of Syrian forced migrants in Turkey

“…In low‐ and middle‐income countries, which host the most refugees, informal and formal housing markets are intertwined (Issar, 2022) and prospects for coping with the housing vulnerabilities emerge through “urban informality” (Roy, 2005, 2011). Studies suggest that the transition from shelter to housing is difficult even for refugees who receive some support because of limited financial means, shortages in housing supply in the cities (Adam et al, 2021) and discrimination and lack of social networks (Wyckaert et al, 2020). In the Middle East and Africa, refugees are generally allowed to live in the cities without any formal accommodation support (Bakewell, 2014; Kihato & Landau, 2017; Krause & Gato, 2017), or end up self‐settling because of the state's non‐encampment policies such as the case in Lebanon (Kikano et al, 2021) or Jordan (Turner, 2015) without receiving sufficient assistance from the host state (Kibreab, 2007).…”

“…In low-and middle-income countries, which host the most refugees, informal and formal housing markets are intertwined (Issar, 2022) and prospects for coping with the housing vulnerabilities emerge through "urban informality" (Roy, 2005(Roy, , 2011. Studies suggest that the transition from shelter to housing is difficult even for refugees who receive some support because of limited financial means, shortages in housing supply in the cities (Adam et al, 2021) and discrimination and lack of social networks (Wyckaert et al, 2020).…”

Reconsidering the interrupted housing pathways of refugees in Flanders (Belgium) from a home-making perspective: a policy critique

“…This article is an attempt to integrate our research findings and distinct disciplinary perspectives -architectural and sociological -on the housing and home-making of refugees. Moreover, while recently a limited number of studies have been published focusing on the housing and home-making of refugees in the period before or following acceptance (Vandevoordt 2017;Willems et al 2020;Wyckaert et al 2020;El Moussawi & Schuermans, 2021;XXXX;XXXX), studies that take into consideration the full housing trajectory of refugees in Belgium are still lacking. Merging our research insights enables us to review the home-making practices of refugees during their entire housing pathways, which start with their arrival on Belgian territory after which they move through collective asylum centres to the highly saturated private housing markets in Flanders' major cities.…”