A charity that shelters refused asylum seekers whose lives are left in limbo needs more homes.

The Abigail Housing project has four houses across the city giving homes to 15 people but with 40 people on a growing waiting list, more sympathetic landlords are needed.

Project worker Emily Fox says the charity gets no Government funding and relies on the generosity of people with homes to spare for those in urgent need.

She said: “They might be older couples who want to downsize but not sell their home or someone who has to work away or is in the services and doesn't want to leave their home empty.

“Ideally we are looking for three or four-bedroom houses close to the city centre but smaller would be good too – our properties are all very unique. We get them free, although sometimes pay a peppercorn rate, and we pay all the bills and Council Tax linked to the housewhile we occupy it.”

The residents are people who have been refused asylum status but have been given leave to stay in the country, either they have not had the right evidence or have not understood the process to be accepted.

Miss Fox said: “They are very vulnerable at this time. They cannot work and have no recourse to public funds so they are in limbo,they are just left in a black hole.”

Abigail Housing only works with single people and has three houses for men and only one for women. The project started five years ago with a single property.

“We have got a massive waiting list, we’ve had 40 people referred to us this year already,” said Miss Fox.

Residents get given food parcels and a £10 ‘gift’ from the charity because it is the only money they get.

They are also directed to other agencies that can help such as the Red Cross and Bradford Action For Refugees.

Anyone intereted in loaning their home to Abigail Housing should go to abigailhousing.org.uk or ring 07908 364112.

Miss Fox said: “It would be great to talk to anyone who wants to find out more atbout us and is interested. We can go through our track record and give confidence to anyone thinking about becoming one of our sympathetic landlords.”