Councils Resist Government Plans for Asylum Seeker Accommodation in HMOs

Local councils have begun to oppose the Labour Government's initiative to relocate asylum seekers into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which are utilized by the Home Office for this purpose. Under the existing laws, contractors can convert a residential house into an HMO accommodating up to six occupants without undergoing the planning application process. Reports indicate that eight councils throughout the UK have either approved or are considering regulations that would complicate landlords' efforts to establish bedsits. For instance, Wigan, which currently has around 200 HMOs designated for asylum seekers, announced new regulations aimed at reviewing every application closely. Other councils, such as Derby City, Warrington, North Lincolnshire, Bolton, Lambeth, Sefton, and Eastbourne, are also contemplating measures to require planning permission for establishing such accommodations.

Wigan Council has expressed its frustration by clarifying that it lacks any authority regarding the quantity or placement of properties designated by the Home Office for asylum seekers' housing. In contrast, both Eastbourne and Bolton Councils have stated that their proposed regulations are not directly linked to the plans for accommodating asylum seekers. It's important to note that HMOs are also commonly used for housing students, as well as supporting homeless individuals and ex-offenders, requiring occupancy by at least three unrelated individuals who share communal facilities. The financial impact of housing migrants in hotels is significant, costing UK taxpayers approximately £5.5 million daily. The Home Office has announced that it is collaborating closely with local authorities to eliminate the use of asylum hotels by the conclusion of this parliamentary term.

In Lincolnshire, residents have voiced their concerns regarding the transformation of the former RAF Scampton, the historic Dambusters headquarters, into a migrant detention center. The Labour Party has proposed this location as a potential facility for asylum seekers, all while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer grapples with the ongoing challenges presented by the migrant crisis. Additionally, Leeds City Council is exploring the possibility of repurposing a block of student accommodations for migration housing. An application for converting it into a hostel was submitted last month, with a decision anticipated in October. The council has noted that the Home Office informed them that this proposal is part of broader central government strategies aimed at minimizing the dependency on hotel accommodations for asylum seekers.