Afghan Refugee short term housing

[pete75]

I fully agree with the government accommodating Afghan refugees in hotels until permanent dwellings are made available. For homeless folk during the pandemic they used Travelodges, Premier Inns, Park Inns, Holiday Inns etc. Cheap and cheerful accommodation but clean and perfectly adequate. One would have expected the same with the refugees. Not always so though - locally they are being accommodated in the rather grand 4* Stoke Rochford Hotel. It does seem a little excessive.

[[XAP]Bob]

Ah, but now the other hotels actually need to host the superspreaders…

[reohn2]

Theory:-
Perhaps now travel restrictions are lifted the cheaper hotels are being booked up,whilst hotels such as the one above can't get the custom due to the depress economy.
There is the question of staff shortages in hotels generally but Travelodge types need less staff than the higher class accommodation.
OTOH when you've spent 20 years occupying their country,then dropping everything and doing a bunk leaving the place to a medieval bunch of known religious tyrants,it's the least you can do for the one's you chose to take with you.

[francovendee]

I have the view that when a refugee, legal or illegal, has sought sanctuary in the UK then we shouldn't be too critical of ourselves if the people are housed in less than ideal accommodation. Fleeing from war zones, famine etc. as a short term measure then the use of empty barracks should be acceptable and indeed an improvement in their lives.
What is needed (missing) is a plan to move these people into proper accommodation without pushing British people back on the list for decent housing.
Like it or lump it there will be a steady stream of people for years to come and the government needs to get a plan together.

[[XAP]Bob]

If you care about something then you should care enough to do it badly...

I can see the view that old barracks are a reasonable accommodation, but I see no need to prioritise people based moving on from there by country of origin - prioritisation should be by need.
And those barracks should also be available to British people who find themselves without a roof over their head.

[Jdsk]

I have the view that when a refugee, legal or illegal, has sought sanctuary in the UK then we shouldn't be too critical of ourselves if the people are housed in less than ideal accommodation. Fleeing from war zones, famine etc. as a short term measure then the use of empty barracks should be acceptable and indeed an improvement in their lives.

Those barracks and any other accommodation should meet explicit standards of hygiene, safety etc.

The UK government has repeatedly failed on these. For example:

The judge said: "I do not accept that the accommodation there ensured a standard of living which was adequate for the health of the claimants.
"Insofar as the defendant considered that the accommodation was adequate for their needs, that view was irrational."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-57335499

It's a national disgrace.

Jonathan

[Jdsk]

... but I see no need to prioritise people based moving on from there by country of origin - prioritisation should be by need.

Don't you come round here with those fancy ethical principles...

Jonathan

[reohn2]

I have the view that when a refugee, legal or illegal, has sought sanctuary in the UK then we shouldn't be too critical of ourselves if the people are housed in less than ideal accommodation. Fleeing from war zones, famine etc. as a short term measure then the use of empty barracks should be acceptable and indeed an improvement in their lives.

Those barracks and any other accommodation should meet explicit standards of hygiene, safety etc.

The UK government has repeatedly failed on these. For example:

The judge said: "I do not accept that the accommodation there ensured a standard of living which was adequate for the health of the claimants.
"Insofar as the defendant considered that the accommodation was adequate for their needs, that view was irrational."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-57335499

It's a national disgrace.

Jonathan

Spon on!
But not the only,there are many more.....

[Pebble]

Meanwhile ex UK soldiers find themselves living in cardboard boxes on the streets, so many of our homeless are ex squadies, The bleedings hearts never seem to give a dam about these.

[Jdsk]

Meanwhile ex UK soldiers find themselves living in cardboard boxes on the streets, so many of our homeless are ex squadies, The bleedings hearts never seem to give a dam about these.

I don't think that it helps to to use this to set one group in difficulties against another.

The UK should treat all homeless and vulnerable people much better than it does. And it's clear that this is achievable if we want to achieve it.


https://fullfact.org/economy/homelessness-england/

"Homelessness facts and statistics: The numbers you need to know in 2021"
https://www.bigissue.com/news/housing/b ... ard-facts/

Jonathan

[Oldjohnw]

As far as I know between 3 and 6% of homeless are ex military. But that is surely an issue for the military to address rather than cause a further group to suffer, which includes children.

A pity when people who care (including caring for ex soldiers) are dismissed as bleeding hearts.

[francovendee]

The empty barracks had been lived in by the military but he accommodation doesn't meet modern standards and was emptied.
One criticism was a lack of separation over Covid and people living communally in large numbers.
I don't suggest a race to the bottom but as a short term measure it's better than living in makeshift tent in a camp.
Sure the government(s) have failed to provide adequate housing but not just for immigrants.
The problem is the length of time taken to process these people, maybe a ploy of Patel to deter people from trying to gain a life in the UK?

[pete75]

Theory:-
Perhaps now travel restrictions are lifted the cheaper hotels are being booked up,whilst hotels such as the one above can't get the custom due to the depress economy.
There is the question of staff shortages in hotels generally but Travelodge types need less staff than the higher class accommodation.
OTOH when you've spent 20 years occupying their country,then dropping everything and doing a bunk leaving the place to a medieval bunch of known religious tyrants,it's the least you can do for the one's you chose to take with you.

It's a popular wedding venue for folk with more money than sense and quite a few weddings have been cancelled in order to accommodate refugees. Weddings are lucrative business so I don't think lack of bookings is the reason.

[roubaixtuesday]

Well, I've no idea of the reasons behind it, but I, for one, am delighted and proud that we welcome desperate people to our country in such a fantastic setting.

I hope the rest of their experience of the UK remains so positive, I'm sure they have much to offer us.

[reohn2]

Well, I've no idea of the reasons behind it, but I, for one, am delighted and proud that we welcome desperate people to our country in such a fantastic setting.

I hope the rest of their experience of the UK remains so positive, I'm sure they have much to offer us.

+1