Councillor calls for investigation amid concerns over housing provider for asylum seekers
A local councillor has called for an independent investigation into concerns over a housing provider for asylum seekers amid unfair profit claims.
Mears Housing has now had to return almost £14m to the UK Home Office after making more profit than it was allowed to under terms of its government contract.
Mears highest rate of profits in the UK, was made in Northern Ireland.
Concerns had initially been raised in Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) that Mears was targeting properties in deprived areas for its stock causing other rental prices to spike. Alderman Paul Porter said: "The news report into Mears Housing, a Home Office-contracted asylum accommodation provider, is deeply troubling and confirms concerns I have raised for years.
“I was the first politician in Northern Ireland to warn that Home Office asylum housing policy and the role of Mears Housing within it was actively driving local families out of the private rental market, as properties are removed from general use and tied into long-term contracts for asylum accommodation.
“For years, I have repeatedly demanded a full, independent investigation into this policy and its impact on most deprived communities across Northern Ireland.
“I have directly asked the Home Office to commission such an investigation.
“Despite the growing evidence and mounting concern, nothing has been done.”
The increased profits of concern at this time relate to Mears use of hotel accommodation for asylum seekers. Northern Ireland politicians have previously raised concerns about the planning status of hotels in Antrim and Newtownabbey Council, the Causeway Coast and Glens and Ards and North Down Borough Council areas, being used for asylum seeker accommodation. Mears has said it is working to end its use of hotels with a current figure of 246 asylum seekers being accommodated at hotels in Northern Ireland. Mr Porter added: “The findings on the profits being generated by Mears Housing from a clearly broken immigration system are shocking. “This situation cannot be ignored any longer. The time for words has passed.
“I am once again demanding a full, independent investigation, and I am calling on the Home Office to act now and ensure it is carried out without further delay.”