Council rejects claims homes are intended for asylum seekers

Deputy council leader Councillor Peter Wilkinson told a meeting of the authority’s executive today (Tuesday, September 15) that the properties were instead being provided to meet the council’s statutory responsibilities towards homeless households.

Councillors were considering a revised business case which would increase the council’s temporary accommodation programme from 90 to 112 homes.

The scheme was originally approved in 2024 amid increasing demand for temporary accommodation and rising costs from placing homeless households in hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Addressing claims about the scheme at the meeting at the Civic Centre in Selby, Cllr Wilkinson said: “I’m aware that there has been some discussion on social media regarding the purpose of these homes.

“For clarity, this programme is not for asylum accommodation. Accommodation of asylum seekers is arranged separately by the Home Office.

“These homes are intended for households to whom North Yorkshire Council owes homelessness duties, including families with children, people fleeing domestic abuse and other vulnerable residents who would otherwise have nowhere suitable to stay.”

Dozens of comments have been posted online in recent days suggesting the homes would be used to house migrants.

One person said: “British people born in this country need houses. Forget the migrants. Send them back. They are not our problem.”

Another added: “This will be to house migrants as they want them out of all hotels etc.”

But the council’s report confirms the purpose of the programme is to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households across North Yorkshire.

It says demand has increased, partly because households are spending longer in temporary accommodation.

Twenty properties have already been delivered — 11 in Scarborough, six in Norton, two in Catterick and one in Ripon — with another 40 properties acquired or already owned by the council being prepared for occupation.

The revised programme would increase the overall budget from £11.6m to just around £18.1m, with the council saying the additional investment would reduce its reliance on more expensive emergency accommodation.

The report says there is a particular shortage of one and two-bedroom temporary accommodation for homeless single people and couples, as well as shortages in parts of Harrogate, Selby and Scarborough.

Once all 112 homes are available, the council estimates the programme could eventually produce savings and avoid additional costs of up to £2.71m a year, with the additional benefit expected from 2028/29 onwards.

Cllr Wilkinson said the properties would remain council-owned assets.

He added: “Overall, this is a prudent investment that reduces ongoing revenue pressure, supports some of our most vulnerable residents and represents good stewardship of public money.”

The council has a legal duty to help people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Its report also points out that families with children and pregnant women cannot legally be housed in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks.