Statement on the housing of people seeking asylum in the UK and Bassetlaw
Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of unsubstantiated and misleading claims made online and in the local and national media regarding the housing of people currently seeking asylum, where they have been placed, and Bassetlaw District Council’s involvement with this process.
Accommodation process for people seeking asylum
The process of housing people who are seeking asylum in the UK, specifically in the East Midlands, is managed by the Home Office, one of its asylum dispersal accommodation partners Serco, and East Midlands Councils.
Serco source properties in the private sector and not from Bassetlaw District Council. Any private property owner can lease their property to Serco for asylum accommodation and this is a private arrangement between the two parties.
Housing in Bassetlaw
The Council does not provide or source accommodation for people seeking asylum and no Bassetlaw District Council owned properties are used to house people seeking asylum.
People who are already registered on the Council’s housing waiting list will not have their housing options impacted by people seeking asylum.
Anyone applying for Council housing within Bassetlaw must meet the conditions of our Allocations Policy, which includes a requirement to have a ‘Local Connection’. For example, has lived in Bassetlaw for a period of time which is currently five years or more.
Areas selected by Serco for asylum accommodation
All decisions on the accommodation of people seeking asylum are made by Serco and the Home Office.
Serco has contacted Bassetlaw District Council to ask for its comments on the suitability of postcode areas within our district where they will look to source private rented accommodation.
Serco provided the Council with the first four digits of a postcode (for example, AB12 3). This can cover a wide geographic area and is not specific.
Bassetlaw District Council does not ‘clear’ or ‘approve’ any postcode areas that are submitted to us by Serco. For clarification, Bassetlaw District Council is asked to comment on whether a postcode area is open, closed or is limited for Serco to procure accommodation in, via an agreement with private landlords.
Bassetlaw District Council cannot simply reject or say ‘no’ to an area. We can say an area should be closed or limited, but we must provide specific, clear and compelling evidence and data as to why a postcode area should not be considered.
Serco do not have to accept the comments of Bassetlaw District Council and where they require more information or do not feel that the evidence provided should stop the procurement of accommodation, they will escalate this to the Home Office.
The Council’s Legal Homelessness Duty
If an individual is granted a legal right to remain in the UK, and then presents themselves to Bassetlaw District Council as being homeless, the Council has a legal duty under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to provide advice and assistance.
To ensure that this does not impact on Council-owned accommodation, we have approached private sector landlords to source accommodation.
Our legal duty is the same for anybody presenting as homeless. Each individual homeless case is dealt with in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the statutory code of guidance.
Where an individual’s application for asylum has been unsuccessful, the Council has no duty to provide any form of accommodation should they present themselves as homeless. The Council has no role in the process as this is the responsibility of the Home Office.
Bibby Stockholm
The Council can confirm that is has had no contact with the Home Office, their asylum dispersal partner Serco, or East Midlands Councils about housing people who were previously accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm.
The Council has no knowledge of where anyone seeking asylum was previously accommodated.
Last Updated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024