UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Charities say anti-migrant activists may target HMOs housing asylum seekers, amid rising tensions and social media campaigns spreading misinformation.
As reported by The Guardian, concerns are rising that shared houses could be targeted in anti-migrant protests, say residents and charities.
How are HMOs becoming a target in anti-migrant campaigns?
The number of homes of multiple occupation is increasing as renters seek affordable accommodation amid the housing shortage.
HMOs, homes where three or more tenants share common facilities, are typically occupied by students, young workers, asylum seekers, or anyone with limited budgets.
Social media posts are urging action against HMOs believed to accommodate asylum seekers, with some individuals attempting to compile address lists.
In Warrington, a former pub was defaced with anti-HMO graffiti reading “No HMOs,” even though authorities confirmed no planning applications had been submitted.
What did Louise Calvey say about rising hate risks near HMOs?
Louise Calvey of Asylum Matters warned of growing hate crimes near HMOs. She added that rumours were spreading in local communities claiming HMOs were housing migrants, even where this was not the case.
She said,
“This anger around HMOs, this fearmongering around HMOs, risks hate crime against all racialised people.”
Ms Calvey added.
“There’s huge risk. At least if people are in hotels, there’s security there and there’s usually some form of support. In HMOs, it’s much more likely that people are going to be attacked walking around the street and it’s much more likely that those attacks will go unreported.”
She stressed that the use of HMOs for asylum seekers has been long-standing and will probably not rise significantly.
Ms Calvey said, ‘
“The use of HMOs for asylum accommodation has been employed for far longer than hotels.”
She stated,
“But I highly doubt the government is going to be able to close hotels and set up HMOs. There just isn’t access to that housing stock out there.”
Ms Calvey called on the government to tackle delays in asylum claims and allow asylum seekers to work, rent rooms, and stay with family, adding,
“The solution is to get people out of both hotels and HMOs where they’re at risk of violence.”
How are HMOs fuelling tensions amid the asylum debate in the UK?
Reform UK figures, including George Finch, Warwickshire’s teenage council leader, have slammed the use of HMOs to facilitate asylum seekers.
Far-right demonstrations over the summer have been partly blamed on misleading claims by politicians, including Reform leader Nigel Farage and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick.
The Home Office has pledged to close dozens of asylum hotels, with ministers planning to move asylum seekers into military facilities.
Debate continues over the increased use of HMOs, which critics say contribute to community tensions separate from asylum issues.
How many HMOs are there in England and Wales, and what are councils doing?
The Office for National Statistics revealed there were 182,554 HMOs in England and Wales in April, but local authorities say the actual number may be higher.
Authorities in Warrington and Bolton have voted to scrap rules allowing homes to be converted into small HMOs, with six or fewer tenants, without planning permission.
What did Phil Brickell say about Serco and asylum seeker placements?
Labour MP Phil Brickell called on the government to debate why companies leasing homes, such as Serco, fail to inform local communities about asylum seeker placements.
He warned that without transparency, HMO proposals end up on social media, surrounded by misleading claims.
Why has Shabana Mahmood ordered a review of asylum seeker taxi costs?
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched an urgent review into the cost of taxis transporting asylum seekers between hotels and medical facilities.
The announcement came after an inquiry into asylum hotel conditions found a migrant sent on a 250-mile journey, costing the Home Office £600.
A Home Office spokesperson added,
“The home secretary has asked the department to urgently look into the use of taxis to transfer asylum seekers.”
What did Matthew Pennycook say about long-distance asylum journeys?
Referring to the cost of asylum transportation, housing minister Matthew Pennycook said,
“The Home Office don’t have figures, I think, I don’t want to get into the specifics of that case, but it’s very, it’s very questionable why such a long distance was travelled in that instance.”
Key facts about the asylum seekers in the UK
The UK received a record 111,084 asylum applications in the year ending June 2025, up 8% from the 2002 peak. About 39% arrived irregularly, mainly by small boats, while 37% entered legally before claiming asylum.
The top countries of origin were Pakistan (11,234), Afghanistan (8,281), and Iran (7,746). Most applicants were adult men (62%), with 18% children.