Recommendation 17

HM Government · verbatim extract Acknowledged

Government Response In relation to the recommendations at paragraphs 119 and 120, we are committed to ensuring that otherwise destitute asylum seekers are housed in safe, secure and suitable accommodation, and that they are treated with dignity while they are in our care. We have been investing considerably in our contract assurance function to ensure that is consistently the case. If accommodation providers have been found to have fallen short of the required standards then we can take action, including but not limited to the application of financial remedies The reform in licensing requirements for HMO properties housing asylum seekers is important to the Government as part of the wider asylum dispersal plans. There are over 56,000 asylum seekers living in contingency accommodation (mainly hotels); the temporary reform will form part of a suite of measures being taken to accelerate moving asylum seekers out of costly hotels into more suitable and cost-effective accommodation. The introduction of the licensing exemption will remove the higher regulatory standards set by local authorities over and above other privately rented accommodation. This will mean that national housing standards will apply uniformly to all new HMO properties acquired for asylum seekers. Whilst the barriers posed by local authorities will be temporarily removed, housing quality standards including fire and safety will be maintained as the HO requires its accommodation providers to comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements when sourcing and providing accommodation. We have worked with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to ensure that our fire safety checks / standards are of an appropriate level Additionally, we have committed to inspecting each of the eligible HMO properties that will be temporarily exempted from licensing, at least once during this period. The Department is more than doubling the size of its contract assurance function, which undertakes inspections and other assurance activities, as well as enhancing its other contract management resources, and gives particular regard to the experiences of pregnant women, those with young children, and others with specific needs. The AASC contracts awarded in January 2019 set out clear minimum standards for all asylum accommodation which are similar to those used in local authority licensing. For example, all dispersal accommodation is required to meet the room and space standards in the Housing Acts as appropriate. The accommodation providers are required to visit each property at least monthly, and the Home Office Contract Assurance Team also inspects properties and undertakes other assurance activities on an intelligence-led basis, for example where issues with a property have been identified via Migrant Help. If accommodation providers have been found to have fallen short of the required standards then we can take action, including but not limited to the application of financial remedies.