Referral Guidelines
Kairos Housing provides short-term accommodation for single adult (18 years and over) asylum seekers who are destitute and refugees with critical housing needs. Our provision is limited and over-subscribed, and we cannot accept referrals from outside the area. Applicants must have a local connection to Blackburn with Darwen. All our accommodation is provided in shared housing. We do not offer legal advice.
We offer stability to asylum seekers whose claims have been refused, enabling them to gather further evidence and submit a fresh asylum application. We can only accept referrals from asylum seekers actively pursuing their asylum claims and who have a reasonable chance of success. We cover the costs of accommodation and support for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
We also offer limited accommodation for refugees with critical housing needs, typically during the move-on period after receiving refugee status. For refugee guests, accommodation and support costs are covered by Housing Benefit, with a weekly top-up they pay themselves from the universal credit payments of £23.36 (£101.23 monthly) towards energy, water, WiFi, Council Tax, and TV licence (amount correct as of January 2025). This accommodation is available on a short-term basis (between six months-1 year) in shared, furnished properties across Blackburn and Darwen. Our accommodation and support for refugees is designed for individuals who need, want and will benefit from engaging fully with their support worker to build skills, work towards employment and prepare for a sustainable future in the UK. This provision is not appropriate for those already in employment.
We offer stability to asylum seekers whose claims have been refused, enabling them to gather further evidence and submit a fresh asylum application. We can only accept referrals from asylum seekers actively pursuing their asylum claims and who have a reasonable chance of success. We cover the costs of accommodation and support for those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
We also offer limited accommodation for refugees with critical housing needs, typically during the move-on period after receiving refugee status. For refugee guests, accommodation and support costs are covered by Housing Benefit, with a weekly top-up they pay themselves from the universal credit payments of £23.36 (£101.23 monthly) towards energy, water, WiFi, Council Tax, and TV licence (amount correct as of January 2025). This accommodation is available on a short-term basis (between six months-1 year) in shared, furnished properties across Blackburn and Darwen. Our accommodation and support for refugees is designed for individuals who need, want and will benefit from engaging fully with their support worker to build skills, work towards employment and prepare for a sustainable future in the UK. This provision is not appropriate for those already in employment.
Referral Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
If yes to either of the above, then to the best of your knowledge:
If you answered yes to any of the above, please provide details on the application form. These factors will not necessarily prevent someone from being housed by us, but it is essential that we have a full picture to ensure we are a good fit, can meet their needs, and match them appropriately.
Please be aware that places are not allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis, nor simply on whether the person appears to meet the referral criteria or whether they appear to have the greatest need. Compatibility with current guests is also a major criterion and Kairos Housing always has the right to refuse a potential referral. No choice of accommodation is available. ‘vacancies’ are likely to be rare and those referred will be asked to accept the first room offered.
Accessibility
Currently, all our accommodation is accessed via stairs or contains stairs within the property.
Emergency Referrals
It always takes a few days for us to gather adequate background details on the person referred. We are unable therefore to consider emergency referrals.
Trial Periods and Reviews
We offer accommodation for an initial period of 4 weeks after which a review meeting will be held between the guest and a staff member. This may be extended to 3, 6 or a maximum of 12 months depending on a number of factors. Further regular reviews will be held. We aim to house individuals for between 6 months to 1 year.
Terminating Placements
The project is not able to offer permanent accommodation to guests. Kairos Housing have the right to terminate a placement at any time, although we would give as much notice as possible. Guests who gain the right or ability to support themselves will be given notice to leave.
- Is the applicant destitute? That is, do they have no recourse to public or other funds?
- If no, do they have a critical short-term housing need that cannot be met via Home Office or other social housing providers?
If yes to either of the above, then to the best of your knowledge:
- Are they currently experiencing severe mental ill-health?
- Do they have a recent history of deliberate self-harm, or attempted suicide?
- Do they have a history of challenging, aggressive, or inappropriate behaviour?
- Do they have drug or alcohol dependence?
- Do they have a criminal record?
If you answered yes to any of the above, please provide details on the application form. These factors will not necessarily prevent someone from being housed by us, but it is essential that we have a full picture to ensure we are a good fit, can meet their needs, and match them appropriately.
Please be aware that places are not allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis, nor simply on whether the person appears to meet the referral criteria or whether they appear to have the greatest need. Compatibility with current guests is also a major criterion and Kairos Housing always has the right to refuse a potential referral. No choice of accommodation is available. ‘vacancies’ are likely to be rare and those referred will be asked to accept the first room offered.
Accessibility
Currently, all our accommodation is accessed via stairs or contains stairs within the property.
Emergency Referrals
It always takes a few days for us to gather adequate background details on the person referred. We are unable therefore to consider emergency referrals.
Trial Periods and Reviews
We offer accommodation for an initial period of 4 weeks after which a review meeting will be held between the guest and a staff member. This may be extended to 3, 6 or a maximum of 12 months depending on a number of factors. Further regular reviews will be held. We aim to house individuals for between 6 months to 1 year.
Terminating Placements
The project is not able to offer permanent accommodation to guests. Kairos Housing have the right to terminate a placement at any time, although we would give as much notice as possible. Guests who gain the right or ability to support themselves will be given notice to leave.
Referrals for refugee guests are made through Blackburn with Darwen Housing Needs. BwD Housing Needs can be accessed by presenting at the Town Hall and asking for the duty officer for the Housing Needs Department.
We accept referrals for asylum seekers experiencing destitution (NRPF) through ARC in Blackburn and DARE in Darwen.
Please scroll down for their contact details and to see our referral guidelines.
We are not able to accept self-referrals. We are not able to accept referrals for non asylum-seekers or refugees.
We are unable to accept referrals for families our accommodation is for single adult asylum seekers or refugees.
If you do not have a local connection to Blackburn with Darwen we will not be able to house you. You may be able to find support from a project more local to you here.
We accept referrals for asylum seekers experiencing destitution (NRPF) through ARC in Blackburn and DARE in Darwen.
Please scroll down for their contact details and to see our referral guidelines.
We are not able to accept self-referrals. We are not able to accept referrals for non asylum-seekers or refugees.
We are unable to accept referrals for families our accommodation is for single adult asylum seekers or refugees.
If you do not have a local connection to Blackburn with Darwen we will not be able to house you. You may be able to find support from a project more local to you here.
