got in touch with us, she explained she had spent the whole day on the road with her belongings. As she was awaiting the decision of her appeal at the time of her release, she was eligible to be housed in the RIC, which she was not told – and as she had been detained on arrival in Kos, she had not known to approach the RIC herself. Similarly, Zain was suddenly released from detention with no further information, which we learned when we observed him walking outside the PRDC/RIC complex. Again, as Zain had not yet received a decision on his appeal, he was entitled to live in the RIC following his release, but he was not told so. In contrast, Joud, who was released upon receiving refugee status, was told he could approach the RIC and request accommodation which they had the discretion to provide for up to 30 days. Information available to detained persons upon their release is therefore inconsistent and incomplete and can have serious consequences for their welfare. Regardless of their legal status, all participants experienced some housing insecurity following their release from detention, and many experienced street homelessness. While participants’ entitlement to housing support on Kos and the mainland varied depending on their legal status, we have found that overall, housing support available to asylum seekers and refugees is hugely inadequate. Many participants were therefore reliant on finding accommodation through their social networks, whether on Kos or on the mainland. After staying in the RIC for an evening, Florence approached a house where she had previously lived in Kos Town but was told there was no space for her there. Florence then approached another house, which was also overpopulated, but where she convinced the tenants to allow her to stay. There, she shared a room with five other women and children, splitting the rent with her co-tenants. Similarly, Ismail, who received refugee status, stayed in the RIC for a month after his release, before renting a house in Kos Town with friends. Louis, who was released after being provided a voluntary return paper along with his second rejection, stayed with friends of an acquaintance in Athens. However, not everyone could rely on social networks for material support. During the lockdown, a member of our staff came across another of our clients, a recognised refugee, sleeping in the port in Kos Town. Our client was detained on arrival in Kos, and following his recognition and release, did not have networks he could approach for support. Meanwhile, on receiving a voluntary return paper along with her second rejection, Jeanne travelled to Athens, where she had no social networks, and slept in a park. All participants, regardless of their current housing situation, however, expressed anxiety about the future, and were aware of the uncertainty that awaited them. Joud was not sure how long he would be permitted to stay in the RIC, stating: “Maybe they will just let me stay until I get my ausweiss and then they will ask me to leave”. Louis was also aware that he would not be able to stay with acquaintances for long and was thinking of longer-term solutions. D. Poverty Again, financial support for asylum seekers and refugees in Kos and the mainland is hugely inadequate, and many of our clients have struggled to support themselves. Participants noted that they were concerned about their financial status following their release from detention. Ismail told us: “…I didn’t think that I would stay here for 7 months, and the island here is expensive, it’s not that cheap, so it’s a little bit hard condition for me. My friends send me money”. Louis also expressed concerns about his financial situation in Athens, and worried that he had no means of supporting himself into the future. Florence told us that she was living on money that she had saved from the UNHCR cash subsistence scheme, which she had once received, and was also helped by friends in Athens. 68 DETENTION OF MIGRANTS ON THE ISLAND OF KOS