A recent European Migration Network (EMN) Inform explores how Member and Observer Countries manage accommodation for international protection applicants in the light of fluctuating asylum applications, limited housing capacity, and community relations at stake. Titled ‘Governing the accommodation of international protection applicants’, the Inform provides a closer look at the various governance models these countries adopt to address housing needs.
According to the 2024 recast of the Reception Conditions Directive (RCD), EU Member States must ensure adequate housing for international protection applicants, even with fluctuating demand. Most EMN Member and Observer Countries, including EU Member States (excluding Denmark) and others like Norway, Georgia, and Moldova, adopt a centralised governance model. This approach, usually managed by the Ministry of the Interior or a specialised agency, allows for consistent planning and accountability in housing applicants.
Some countries, however, use a mixed governance model, with national, regional, and local authorities sharing responsibilities, allowing more tailored responses to specific regional needs. For example, Germany adopts a fully decentralised model, entrusting regional authorities to manage reception facilities. While this allows for greater regional adaptation, it requires substantial coordination.
To address the volatile nature of migration flows, many countries have contingency plans involving a range of stakeholders—government agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, and private contractors—to handle surges in demand for housing. Under Article 32 of the RCD, EU Member States must submit these contingency plans to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) by April 2025 to ensure readiness for sudden influxes.
Challenges persist, particularly regarding staff in reception centres and accommodation facilities and resources. A mix of civil servants, NGO staff, and independent agency staff are employed by governing authorities in reception centres. Under Article 33 of the RCD, EU Member States must train these staff to meet applicants' needs, including minors, but many struggle to allocate enough resources for staff management.
Funding for accommodation facilities primarily comes from national budgets, supplemented by EU support, such as through the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF). While state generally budgets cover core expenses, EU funding often supports accommodation infrastructure enhancements.
The inform ‘Governing the accommodation of international protection applicants’ is available in the Publications Section of the EMN website.