The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels is decreasing as more individuals are transitioned to longer-term accommodation options, according to recent Home Office data.
Shift in Accommodation
As of December 2025, 30,657 asylum seekers were residing in hotels, representing a 19% decrease compared to the figures from December of the previous year. Hotel usage reached its highest point in September 2023, with approximately 56,000 people accommodated in this manner.
Alongside the decline in hotel usage, 72,769 people are now housed in longer-term accommodation. This includes houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and other types of housing, such as former military sites that have been repurposed, including a site in Wethersfield, Essex.
Individuals seeking asylum are legally entitled to housing if they are unable to financially support themselves while their claim is under review. Hotels are utilized when other accommodation options are unavailable.
Ministers have stated their intention to eliminate the use of hotels for asylum seeker housing by the conclusion of the current parliamentary term, citing the significantly higher costs associated with hotel accommodation compared to longer-term alternatives.
What Might Happen Next
If the current trend continues, we could witness a further reduction in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels. However, the availability of sufficient longer-term accommodation may present a challenge. It is also possible that the pace of transition could be affected by the volume of new asylum claims. The success of this policy may depend on the effective management of resources and the provision of appropriate support services for those in longer-term housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are asylum seekers required to live in the provided housing?
The source states that asylum seekers are entitled to housing if they cannot support themselves while their claim is being considered, but does not specify whether it is mandatory.
What types of “other accommodation” are being used?
The source indicates that “other accommodation” includes repurposed former military sites, such as the site in Wethersfield in Essex.
When did the use of hotels for asylum seeker housing begin to decline?
The source indicates that the number of asylum seekers in hotels began to fall as of December 2025, with a 19% decrease compared to December of the previous year.
How might a shift to longer-term accommodation impact the integration of asylum seekers into communities?
