Protest over city asylum-seekers’ living conditions
CRAMPED HOUSING AND SAFETY ISSUES ARE PROBLEMS
Reporter A PROTEST was staged in Newcastle about overcrowding and potentially dangerous accommodation used by asylum-seekers in the city.
Demonstrators gathered at the Haymarket on Friday lunchtime before moving to the offices of JOMAST, which provides the housing on behalf of the Home Office.
Organised by the Migration and Asylum Justice Forum, they concede the properties inspected “appeared” to conform to their HMO (houses of multiple occupancy) licensing, but say the licence terms are problematic for the residents.
The three JOMAST HMOs in Newcastle that house women and children are licensed to accommodate 55 people in 23 rooms.
A list of concerns raised include overcrowding in small rooms, which has led to tensions and fighting among the children.
They say safety gates are unsuitable for the stairways due to the age range of children housed, and fire-safety considerations given the number of people housed, which has meant children regularly fall down the stairs.
According to the forum, midwives had to arrange for a pregnant woman to be moved out of one HMO over concern for her post-partum – or postdelivery – health, as carrying her 16-month-old daughter up and down the stairs to her top-floor room caused or exacerbated hypertension.
There are queues for basic facilities and they say many of the women have anxiety and depression which is being exacerbated by these cramped living conditions, while it is causing developmental concerns for the children.
“We are concerned about the children’s safety, comfort and development living in these houses,” the forum said.
In March, Newcastle City Council passed a policy against forced roomsharing.
At the time Coun Karen Kilgour, cabinet member for adult care and health, said: “Being made to share a bedroom with someone you aren’t related to or don’t know is not acceptable.
“It can lead to health and safety issues, exacerbate mental and physical health problems and increase tensions between individuals and communities.”
However it does not legally oblige JOMAST – contracted to provide the accommodation as part of a Government contract with G4S – to stop the practice.
A Home Office spokesperson said all properties are inspected by the providers on a monthly basis, in addition to regular inspections carried out by Home Office officials, to ensure they are compliant with HMO licensing regulations.
The spokesperson added: “The UK has a long history of granting asylum to those who need our protection and we are committed to providing safe and secure accommodation while applications are considered.”
However, Joe Bower, of the forum, who took part in the protest, added: “They try to make out this is some sort of temporary arrangement.
“But a lot of these people are in this position for a significant amount of time, sometimes years, and we believe the regulations are inadequate when you take this into consideration.”