Insecure housing amongst forcibly displaced Ukrainian women in England: A qualitative exploration of mental health and coping responses

The ‘Homes for Ukraine’ (H4U) and Ukrainian Family visa schemes facilitated forcibly displaced Ukrainian nationals to enter England from March 2022. Despite accommodation provision implied in the H4U scheme name, barriers in accessing long-term housing have been a prominent stressor for many arrivals. Some have found themselves in insecure housing upon transitioning out of initial placements. Drawing on repeat interviews with 19 forcibly displaced Ukrainian women in England, this qualitative paper draws on Strong Structuration Theory to explore pathways into and through insecure housing, the perceived impact of housing insecurity on well-being, and coping responses to this problem. Conditions in insecure housing, as well as uncertainty over length of tenure and future housing options were perceived as contributing to poor mental health. Participants coped with insecure housing by becoming more assertive in claiming visa-granted housing-related rights, establishing and drawing on support systems, focusing on the positive aspects of life in England, or in some cases, leaving England to secure housing elsewhere.