A billion-pound company charged with finding “dispersed” accommodation for asylum seekers has sourced housing for a large majority in two relatively small areas of Northern Ireland.
The areas where Mears rents accommodations have significant socio-economic issues, with one elected representative describing them as among the most deprived in the north.
Mears has a contract to house asylum seekers in the north worth an expected £400 million over 10 years.
DUP councillor Paul Porter, along with South Belfast MLA Edwin Poots, met representatives of Mears last Friday to discuss long standing and continuing concerns around the policies of the company when it comes to housing asylum seekers.
Alderman Paul Porter met with Mears representatives on Friday
Mr Porter, who sits on Lisburn and Castlereagh council, received figures on the post codes where Mears was housing asylum seekers two years ago, but claimed the company has not handed over updated data.
At the meeting, the company confirmed it did not buy any property, only entered contracts to rent, Mr Porter said.
“I went through their own housing figures with them and showed them the massive discrepancies in regards to post codes in areas of high deprivation,” Mr Porter said.
“That in my opinion shows, on previous figures I have, over 85% was in socially deprived areas. They have refused to give me updated figures.”
Mears was contacted for comment. The company reported revenue of over £1.1bn and profits of approximately £64m in 2024.
The figures released by the company do reveal the number being housed in hotels has dropped significantly, from close to 900 two years ago to just under 250 now. Three are still being used, with The Chimney Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey the focus of protests.
The Chimney Corner Hotel, Mallusk
According to its own figures, again from two years ago, close to 1,700 of approximately 3,000 were being housed in five postal code areas.
The rest were dispersed across multiple areas.
Overall, the number of asylum seekers has dropped from 3,220 in September 2023 to 2,535 in June this year.
Proportionally, the north has among the smallest number among the regions of the UK.
Moving those seeking sanctuary from hotels aligns with the policies of the present Labour government and the previous Conservative administration to “disperse” the people into communities.
Hotels housing asylum seekers have become the focus of protests, while the High Court granted a temporary injunction blocking asylum seekers being accommodated in the Bell Hotel in Epping in Essex.
The DUP is seeking to have asylum seekers removed from the three remaining hotels in Northern Ireland used by Mears on behalf of the Home Office.
Three councils have launched enforcement actions in connection with hotels housing asylum seekers.
But Mr Porter, while saying the people should be moved from hotels, said: “That ship has sailed.”
Protests and counter protests have taken place in England (Jane Barlow/PA)
The councillor, who did not want to reveal those post codes where the majority were being housed, is more concerned that the people are being accommodated in already deprived areas where housing needs are most acute.
There are a limited number of properties, while it also likely drives up rental prices, he said.
The UK’s Home Office said: “Asylum accommodation is procured by accommodation providers via contractual arrangements with the Home Office.”
Mears has a 10-year £400m contract to house asylum seekers in the north
A spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Mears Group consults on all accommodation used for asylum dispersal with relevant partners in Northern Ireland, and we maintain active governance forums to discuss issues relating to procurement.
“We provide funding to local authorities to support them in meeting the needs of asylum seekers and host communities.
“Value for money, community cohesion and the well-being of those working and living in asylum accommodation will continue to be at the forefront of decision-making as we continue to explore options.”