East Durham residents call for tighter control on HMOs amid asylum accommodation changes
Home Office resumes property procurement to meet urgent demand
Residents in East Durham are urging for greater regulation on the conversion of homes into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), as the Home Office lifts its temporary pause on procuring asylum accommodation in County Durham.
The government department emphasizes an urgent need for additional bed spaces, instructing its provider, Mears, to recommence sourcing properties after discovering a shortage of 100 to 150 bed spaces.
The procurement pause, initially implemented due to community impact concerns, ended as forecasts for asylum accommodation fell short.
The pause, last June, had been welcomed by the Reform-led local authority amidst claims that Mears was purchasing properties in deprived areas disproportionately, including Ferryhill and Stanley.
The Home Office's letter, dated July 30, indicates an expectation for new asylum accommodation to come online at a slower pace to ensure a controlled delivery approach.
Earlier reviews this year have reassessed the accommodation need, showing additional requirements replace properties handed back by Mears, reducing capacity.
Home Office figures as of December 2025 noted 566 asylum seekers housed in County Durham.
Darren Grimes from Durham County Council previously criticized the government for neglecting local concerns, with accusations of unfairly targeting the county.
The Home Office reassures continued cooperation with local authorities and Mears to factor local considerations into future procurement activities.