People living in the UK’s “asylum hotels” endured sexist and racist harassment and scabies outbreaks as accommodation providers raked in millions in profits, openDemocracy can reveal.
As of June 2024, just under 30,000 asylum-seeking people – many of them incredibly vulnerable – were living in hotels run by the government or its contractors. While much of the coverage of the hotels has thus far focused on the associated costs of the accommodation, our investigation has provided a rare glimpse into their daily reality, revealing the extent of the poor living conditions and disrespectful treatment they suffer – often for months at a time.
The Home Office recorded 1,500 complaints about the state of these asylum hotels last year, according to data obtained by openDemocracy via Freedom of Information laws. The majority (901) were linked to Clearsprings Ready Homes, a firm awarded a £996m government contract to deliver asylum accommodation and support over eight years in 2021.
