THE number of properties in Warrington being used to accommodate migrants awaiting an asylum decision has been revealed.
An overview of Warrington’s housing background has been prepared ahead of a meeting of Warrington Borough Council’s Housing Policy Committee this month.
This states, as already known, Warrington has two hotels in contract with the Home Office to house migrants – Holiday Inn in Woolston and Fir Grove Hotel in Grappenhall.
Paddington House Hotel was also being used, however the Home Office confirmed in March that it was ending this contract, with residents ‘moving to other parts of the asylum estate’.
Last week, new figures confirmed that fewer migrants were being housed in hotels in Warrington this summer than a year earlier, but that the number of those residing in the town claiming support from the Government had risen.
Now, the Housing Policy Committee report confirms that, as of August, there were an additional 31 properties in Warrington, such as HMOs, providing 149 bed spaces, of which 140 were taken.
The properties are managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office, with occupants inhabiting the properties awaiting decisions on their asylum applications.
The report states: “If the claimant receives a positive decision, asylum seekers are then given leave to remain in the UK.
“At that point, they are required to leave the accommodation, known as a notice to quit, and are advised to present as homeless to the local authority in the area where they have been living.”
It is added that, although this number fluctuates, dependent on when claims are processed, in August, the number of households presenting as homeless after leaving asylum seeker accommodation in 2024/25 was 98 so far.
In comparison, the numbers were 61 in 2023/24, nine in 2022/2023 and seven in 2021/2022.
The report also references a family re-union scheme, which gives migrants granted leave to remain in the UK to apply to have their families left behind in their country of origin to join them.
“Numbers in Warrington are currently low, however, neighbouring authorities are experiencing rising cases, and there is an expectation that the trend will likely increase in Warrington, as it has in other areas of the UK,” the report confirms.
“In many cases, these families are larger, which then places increased pressures in terms of emergency accommodation while waiting for availability of larger properties.”
There is also a section of the report entitled ‘homeless’.
This states: “For people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, our focus is to improve the accommodation offer and increase the supply of both permanent and temporary accommodation, thereby reducing reliance upon bed and breakfasts.
“For those who are most vulnerable, we will support independent living.
“Demand for accommodation and complexity of need is growing from these client groups.
“We want to create new models that promote independence and enable people to get the help and support they need – in the right place, at the right time.”
The report does not state what occurs to those not granted leave to remain in the UK, but general rule is given by the Home Office.
It states: “You will be asked to leave the UK if you do not qualify for refugee status and your caseworker decides there is no other reason for you to stay.
“You may be able to appeal against the decision.
“You will have to leave if you do not appeal in the time allowed, or if your appeal is unsuccessful.
“You can leave by yourself, get help with returning home, or be forced to leave.
“You will get a letter before this happens, then you may be detained without warning at an immigration removal centre and then removed from the UK.”
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