Edwin Poots MLA and Alderman Paul Porter brought public concerns to Mears Group on Friday
A DUP representative says he is “shocked at a lack of transparency” after a meeting with the group that handles the housing of asylum seekers in Northern Ireland.
South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots and Lisburn North Alderman Paul Porter held a meeting today (Aug 22) to address “urgent public concerns” with Mears Housing amid a number of NI councils launching investigations into the housing of asylum seekers at hotels.The two party veterans called on Mears Housing to review its Northern Ireland policy with the UK Home Office, but say the request was “refused”.
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According to the Mears website, the ‘housing solutions company’ works with the Home Office to provide housing and support to asylum seekers who enter the UK.Alderman Paul Porter spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) saying he was “shocked at a lack of transparency” surrounding the UK Home Office’s asylum accommodation policy.He said: “We finally got to meet Mears in the DUP Sandy Row offices today, and after this meeting we have actually been left with more questions than answers. It is very disappointing the lack of information Mears was willing to supply, not only to elected members but to address urgent public concerns.“They did say that the individuals in hotels would be moved to HMOs and that they are now looking outside of Belfast to try to deliver those.”He added: “I asked Mears to review their policy that I believe is having a massive impact on deprived areas, but they have refused. They kept saying they had to go back to the Home Office and would not provide answers or a review of policy and that is shocking.”According to Mears website, the group works with the Home Office to provide housing and support to asylum seekers who enter the UK.
The DUP meeting with Mears in Sandy Row comes as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch calls for Tory councils to launch more legal challenges over the use of hotels for asylum seekers.It comes after Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction by the High Court on Tuesday which blocks asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel in the Essex town.A number of NI councils have now been queried on whether they hold information to show change of use applications for hotels to accommodate asylum seekers.Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC), replying to an LDRS query, responded: “Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is unaware of any hotels in the council area being used to house asylum seekers.”Alderman Porter has previously raised concerns of Mears buying up properties that is causing rental prices to “rocket”, however the housing group has now denied purchasing properties in Northern Ireland.Alderman Porter said: “The reason this meeting was called is there is a massive discrepancy in regards to what is being seen on the ground. It was a very challenging meeting and we did challenge on a lot of fronts on the impact they are having.“The only thing Mears clarified is that they don’t buy up properties, but rent, but four years ago Mears had told me directly they were going to buy properties. I asked how many properties they had, and they said they couldn’t answer that.“I went through their own housing figures with them and showed them the massive discrepancies in regards to post codes areas of high deprivation. That in my opinion shows, on previous figures I have, over 85% was in socially deprived areas. They have refused to give me updated figures.”The LDRS has previously requested responses from both the UK Home Office and Mears seeking clarification of the asylum seeker policy for Northern Ireland.Alderman Porter added: “I welcome that Mears finally met with us, but I urge them in order to have public confidence in an issue that is causing so much concern, they must be more transparent and open. They need to work with the Home Office to make sure that the information that is being asked for is made more public.”The Mears website states the group, with more than 5,600 employees, currently provides and manages 17,000 homes for local and central government and is also responsible for maintenance of 750,000 social housing homes across the UK. As of November, Mears has lifted its 2024 forecast to around £1.13bn of revenue and at least £60m in adjusted pre-tax profitUK Home Office responding to the LDRS, states: “Asylum accommodation is procured by accommodation providers via contractual arrangements with the Home Office.“Mears Group consults on all accommodation used for asylum dispersal with relevant partners in Northern Ireland, and we maintain active governance forums to discuss issues relating to procurement.“We provide funding to local authorities to support them in meeting the needs of asylum seekers and host communities. Value for money, community cohesion and the well-being of those working and living in asylum accommodation will continue to be at the forefront of decision-making as we continue to explore options.”
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