Due to a shortage of available housing in Leicester, the city council decided to halt plans to demolish the run-down and derelict Victorian terraced housing in Belgrave and make the building available for Ugandan Asians. This was still not ideal as many people needed to live with relatives or friends in order to pay the rent and bills. This caused hardships and tensions from overcrowded, multi- generational households, and sharing with other families. But it also gave families an incentive to strive towards. They saved hard to own their own homes to raise their families and many bought their own properties within five years of arriving in the city.

Unlike in Uganda, the need to rebuild their lives and former lifestyles, both men and 80% of women went out to work.  Some became self-employed or opened shops and post offices. Others started new businesses in the small workshops around Belgrave. Many took factory jobs, but faced racism and discrimination. Qualifications and experience were frequently ignored. Once in post, conditions were often poor. Family friction was common, as jobs failed to match previous family status. But the money helped keep the family together or went towards buying a house.

Ugandan Asian parents were ambitious for their children and a good education was essential for securing a bright future. But Leicester already had 100 migrant schoolchildren arriving each month and now faced a sudden increase. To ease the pressure on local schools, the City Council arranged for around 250 secondary pupils, including Ugandan Asians, to be bussed to suburban schools. The council also opened temporary primary and secondary schools – both proved to be very successful.