A local council in west London is urging for increased government funding to aid asylum seekers, as it finds itself accommodating more than twice the national average.
Hillingdon’s numbers are notably elevated, partly due to the abundance of hotels around Heathrow Airport. Once asylum seekers are placed in these facilities, the local council assumes responsibility for them.
The borough expressed pride in its role as a safe haven, yet it requires additional financial resources to support the 3,000 asylum seekers currently under its care.
The Home Office has indicated its commitment to collaborating with local authorities to achieve a more balanced distribution of accommodation for asylum seekers.
Council members have projected a funding gap of around £5 million over the last fiscal year, a cost that ultimately falls on the local residents.
Steve Tuckwell, the cabinet member for planning, housing, and growth, showcased a recently upgraded temporary accommodation facility in the borough during a BBC London report.
He remarked that the influx of individuals needing housing represents a significant burden that impacts Hillingdon taxpayers.
Some asylum seekers are considered ineligible for housing assistance after transitioning from hotel accommodations, leading to a notable rise in rough sleeping, according to the council.
Referrals to Street Link, an organization that assists the homeless, have surged, with makeshift encampments appearing in various areas, including under bridges.
Susanne Carter-Penrose, head of housing needs for Hillingdon Council, stated, “The increase in rough sleeping can be attributed to the Home Office’s actions regarding evictions from hotels.”
She mentioned, “We’re unable to assist everyone… leaving some to unfortunately end up on the streets.”
Not far from the refurbished temporary accommodation, BBC London met Joe Devine from Thames Reach, a charity focused on aiding the homeless.
He and his team were providing outreach at a park in Hillingdon, where a group of asylum seekers was residing in tents.
Devine explained their mission to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and assist them in finding temporary or suitable housing.
He added, “Once they are settled, we can work on addressing their specific support needs.”
London Councils, the organization representing the boroughs of London, noted that the pressures of asylum accommodation are experienced across the city, particularly in port authorities like Hillingdon.
The group welcomed the government’s recent announcement regarding asylum grant funding for boroughs for the current financial year.
This funding initiative will allocate £1,200 to each local authority for every asylum seeker they accommodate, effective until March 30, 2025.
However, London Councils has asserted that additional funding is necessary, especially given the high cost of housing in the capital.
They expressed a desire to collaborate with the government to establish a multi-year funding plan for asylum and resettlement efforts.
Any viable solution would need to take into account the escalating homelessness challenges amid the significant financial strains confronting London boroughs.
The group estimated a funding shortfall of at least £500 million this year across all services.
A spokesperson from the Home Office responded, noting, “This government inherited a flawed asylum system, with countless cases backlogged and unprocessed, leading to a waste of taxpayer resources.”
They affirmed, “We are prioritizing faster decision-making and increasing returns with the objective of terminating hotel use and saving taxpayers £4 billion by 2026.”
