Asylum seekers are to be given a temporary home in York city centre this winter.
City of York Council has been informed by the Home Office that the city has been chosen by the government to host some families and couples needing support and accommodation.
As winter approaches, asylum seekers are being moved from tented accommodation, to safe, private, self-catered accommodation.
The Home Office has notified York, amongst a number of other cities, that it is booking and paying for hotels and serviced apartments for these families in the city centre.
The temporary accommodation in York will be provided for at least three months, with support from a Home Office-funded welfare officer. The council will coordinate additional support with the city’s community and voluntary sector.
“York is a welcoming city: we stepped up to support asylum seekers through the pandemic, we’ve welcomed those fleeing the war in Ukraine and York stands ready to do its bit once more,” said Cllr Darryl Smalley, executive member for communities.
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“York will be a refuge to these people at an uncertain time in their lives, and as we are about to face a difficult winter in which nobody should live in a tent.”
While offering a warm welcome to the asylum seekers, Cllr Smalley questioned the government’s strategy on the issue: “Whilst hotels are better than tents, we have very serious concerns over the Home Office’s increased use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
“This is a short-term solution and an incredibly costly and failed strategy. York’s recent experience of the Home Office using of a local hotel to house asylum seekers is the clearest evidence that we need a better, more integrated and humane approach.
“It has been shown time and time again that it is best for those seeking asylum to be housed within communities.
“The Government must move away from its current dangerous and morally bankrupt anti-refugee rhetoric and produce long term plans to support those feeling danger, using public money more effectively to house people in communities and allow them the right to work.”
Provide support
Co-ordinator of York City of Sanctuary Paul Wordsworth said: “The men, women and children coming to York do so as asylum seekers. Their applications are being dealt with by the Home Office.
“They are not in the country illegally. They are protected under International Law to which the UK is currently signed up. Statutory and voluntary bodies worked together with a previous York placement. It was a good model.
“We will do so again, in the hope that the arrivals will experience York as a City of Sanctuary. I invite all people of goodwill to support us.”
Carrie Wheater, chief executive of Refugee Action York (RAY), said: “York has a long history of welcoming those seeking sanctuary, seen most recently with the warm and generous welcome given to refugees arriving here from Ukraine.
“RAY is proud to be working alongside City of York Council and other partner agencies to provide the support newly-arrived families will need this winter, so that they feel safe and empowered to start rebuilding their lives.”