Poland’s approach to housing for individuals under international protection is a crucial aspect of its asylum system. As per the 2023 report by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), asylum seekers in Poland are primarily accommodated in reception centers managed by the Office for Foreigners. These centers are often criticized for being overcrowded and offering limited privacy and inadequate living conditions.
Upon receiving international protection, individuals can stay in these centers for up to two months while they seek independent housing. The government offers limited financial assistance, often insufficient to cover the cost of rent and utilities, making the transition to independent living challenging. Many beneficiaries of protection struggle with finding affordable housing, especially given the discrimination they may face from landlords.
To address these issues, some NGOs provide support services, including housing assistance and legal aid, although these resources are often overstretched. Overall, while Poland provides a framework for housing asylum seekers and refugees, significant gaps remain in ensuring adequate, affordable, and non-discriminatory housing for those granted international protection. This has resulted in ongoing difficulties for refugees trying to establish stable lives in the country.
