Key Takeaways
• By late 2024, 47% of asylum seekers in the UK live in hotels, up from 4% in 2018.
• London and nearby regions host nearly 20% of asylum seekers, double the 2018 proportion.
• Ten local councils now host 22% of the UK’s asylum seeker population, increasing strain on local services.
The number and location of asylum seeker accommodation in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 have changed a lot in the past few years. New data shows clearly how these changes have affected different areas, and an interactive map helps people see where these shifts have happened the most. Many people, including those who work in immigration, local councils, and people in different towns and cities, want to understand what these changes mean for their communities and for the people seeking asylum themselves.
By the end of 2024, there are more people seeking asylum in London 🇬🇧 and the nearby regions than ever before. This is very different from how things used to be and from what was planned in government policies. Instead of being spread out evenly or directed away from the most expensive cities, more asylum seekers end up in places like London 🇬🇧, the South East, and the East of England 🇬🇧. These trends raise a lot of questions about why this is happening, the way asylum accommodation works now, and how it impacts both local neighborhoods and the people waiting for a decision on their immigration status.
Let’s take a clear, step-by-step look at what the new numbers and the interactive map reveal about asylum seeker accommodation in London 🇬🇧 and other UK 🇬🇧 regions, what is causing these changes, and what this means for residents, councils, and asylum seekers.
Strong Growth in Asylum Seeker Accommodation in London
In December 2024, London 🇬🇧 became the area with the second highest number of people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. To show how quickly things have changed: back in 2018, only about 10% of people receiving asylum support lived in London 🇬🇧. By the end of 2024, this grew to 19%. That is almost double in just six years.
This happened because government plans, called dispersal policies, were supposed to avoid putting most asylum seekers in expensive cities like London 🇬🇧. Instead, they aimed to place people in areas with cheaper rent and housing costs. But today, the opposite has happened: not only is London 🇬🇧 taking in many more asylum seekers, but the South East and East of England 🇬🇧 have also seen big increases.
In the past, northern regions such as the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber 🇬🇧 used to host the largest share of asylum seekers. These places had more affordable housing and could offer longer-term private rental options. Now, the map shows a clear shift southward—especially into London 🇬🇧.
How the Interactive Map Explains Changes
The interactive map makes it easy for regular people and policymakers to see these changes visually. The map highlights which towns and boroughs have the most, and how these numbers have changed over time. One key finding is that just 10 local councils are now hosting 22% of the country’s total asylum seeker population. That’s more than one in every five people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 being placed in only a handful of council areas.
The map also brings attention to specific hotspots. For example, Hillingdon in west London 🇬🇧 now has 97 asylum seekers for every 10,000 residents. This is the highest concentration in the entire UK 🇬🇧, well above the national average. Other concentrated regions include parts of the North West and the West Midlands. This kind of concentration means some councils feel a much bigger impact on local services like health care, schools, and housing.
Interactive maps are helpful because they show everyone—from local leaders to regular citizens—exactly where pressures are strongest, and they help shine a light on local communities that are hosting the largest numbers of people waiting for asylum decisions.
The Rapid Rise of Hotel Accommodation
One of the most notable findings from the new data is the dramatic rise in hotel use to house asylum seekers. In 2018, just 4% of asylum seekers with government support were placed in “contingency accommodation.” That means temporary places, like hotels, rather than regular, long-term private rentals. But by the end of 2024, nearly half—47%—were living in hotels or similar temporary settings.
This change is not equal everywhere:
- London 🇬🇧, the South East, and East of England 🇬🇧 rely far more heavily on hotels;
- In contrast, areas like the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber 🇬🇧, where the number of asylum seekers has dropped, are still using more regular, long-term rentals, called dispersal accommodation.
The reason for more hotel use? There is a big and growing backlog of asylum cases. Many people are waiting months, sometimes years, for their application to be heard. In the meantime, there simply are not enough longer-term homes for everyone. Hotels are easier and quicker to set up, even if they are not ideal for people who are already facing stress and uncertainty.
Concentration and Its Effects on Local Areas
Some towns and cities feel the effects of higher asylum seeker numbers much more than others. As mentioned earlier, Hillingdon in London 🇬🇧 has become the top hotspot. When almost 1 in every 100 residents is an asylum seeker, local government and community services face special stresses. Schools, doctors’ offices, and social care services all need to stretch their resources further.
Other places, especially in the North West and some parts of the West Midlands, remain important hosts. The interactive map allows people to clearly spot these areas where councils have a bigger burden. Having almost a quarter of all asylum seekers living in only 10 council areas shows just how uneven the distribution is.
This can lead to several challenges:
- Strain on health and social care, especially when local budgets are tight
- Need for special services, like language help and trauma support
- Pressure on schools to provide support for children from many backgrounds
- Extra work for local charities and volunteers
However, it also highlights the strong role some communities are playing. These towns and cities take on more responsibility than others, and many local groups step up to help both new arrivals and long-term residents.
Different Types of Accommodation in London
The Atlas of Homelessness Services in London 🇬🇧, released for 2025, helps us understand what types of housing are available for people in need—including but not only asylum seekers.
Here are some key facts from this report:
- There are over 10,000 spaces in hostels and supported housing for homeless people in London 🇬🇧 overall.
- Of these, 2,002 spaces, across 106 different services, are specifically for young people who do not have a home.
- There are 28 “Housing First” projects designed for people who have the hardest time moving on from homelessness. These projects support almost 601 people intensively to settle and rebuild their lives.
While many of these services are used by people from many backgrounds, not just those seeking asylum, the data shows how London 🇬🇧 is building up safety nets for those in greatest need. Still, the report also points out growing pressures as demand outpaces supply.
Financial Pressures and the High Cost of Hotels
With nearly half of all asylum seekers put in hotels by 2024, the costs have soared. Numbers show that hotels cost the government, on average, seven times more than ordinary dispersal accommodation. This was especially true in the financial year 2022/23.
This means that even though hotels offer a quick fix for housing large numbers of people, they are very expensive. When the country is already dealing with a high backlog of cases and shortages of suitable housing, spending so much on hotels makes it harder to plan and fund other public services.
Government officials now face tough decisions: How to fund both housing and other important services for local people, while still providing safe, decent places for those waiting for a decision?
Reports like the one provided by the Migration Observatory at Oxford University make clear that the current system cannot go on for much longer without changes, mainly because of how much it is costing to keep so many people in hotels instead of better, cheaper homes.
Looking Beyond the Numbers
It is easy to get lost in percentages, costs, and maps. But real people—many fleeing danger, war, or fear—are behind every data point. Asylum seekers often face months, even years, of waiting quietly in temporary accommodation, rarely having control over their lives or certainty about what will happen next.
The uneven placement also means that some communities and charities step in to help, providing food, company, English lessons, and support with paperwork. These efforts matter a lot, and maps and statistics sometimes do not fully show this hidden work.
At the same time, people living in neighborhoods where numbers of asylum seekers have suddenly grown may have questions, worries, or hopes about the future of their area. Good information—like the interactive map—helps people better understand the real picture, and not just the headlines.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
These findings from the interactive map raise important questions for anyone involved in UK 🇬🇧 immigration policy or local government. Key questions for the future include:
- Will changes be made so that asylum seekers are more evenly shared across the country?
- Can the government find cheaper and better long-term accommodation than hotels?
- How can councils and charities in hotspots like London 🇬🇧 get the support they need for both residents and newcomers?
- What kind of help do asylum seekers need most while waiting, whether in hotels or other types of accommodation?
Policy debates will likely focus on fairness, cost, and making sure people are treated well while they wait for a decision. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that, without clear changes to how asylum seekers are housed, both financial and social pressures on local areas like London 🇬🇧 will only keep growing.
Connecting with Official Data and Resources
Anyone wanting more details—whether you are a community leader, part of a local charity, or just a concerned resident—can use several official sources. For a closer look at the interactive map and to see area-by-area data about asylum seeker accommodation, the London Migrant Support Services Map is a useful starting point.
For those wanting to understand how homelessness services link with asylum accommodation in London 🇬🇧, the Atlas of Homelessness Services in London provides up-to-date details.
Both tools help people see changes in their areas, join in local conversations, and support better decision-making for everyone—whether welcoming new arrivals or making sure longtime residents’ needs are met.
Summary and Next Steps
The way asylum seeker accommodation is arranged in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 is changing fast. London 🇬🇧 now plays a much bigger role, and the use of hotels has soared. The interactive map and reports from both government and independent charities show that a few regions, and especially a few local authorities, are carrying most of the burden.
This leads to extra pressure on local services and budgets, while at the same time, it means real challenges for the people waiting in temporary or even unsuitable accommodation. The need for safer, more affordable, and better housing is clear, and so is the need for fairer sharing of responsibility among councils.
Keeping an eye on these shifts and using tools like the interactive map lets everyone see the bigger picture. Good information and a strong commitment to fairness can help all sides—local people, newcomers, councils, and national leaders—make better decisions. Whether you are in London 🇬🇧, another city, or a small town, understanding where asylum seekers live, and why, helps everyone plan together for the best outcomes.
Learn Today
Dispersal accommodation → A government policy to house asylum seekers in less expensive regions, aiming for fairer distribution and reduced concentration in costly cities.
Contingency accommodation → Temporary housing, often hotels, provided for asylum seekers when long-term options are unavailable; use has soared since 2018.
Housing First → A support program providing intensive services and stable housing, especially for people with complex needs, including formerly homeless or vulnerable populations.
Backlog → The accumulation of unresolved asylum applications, causing long waiting times before decisions, leading to temporary housing reliance.
Atlas of Homelessness Services → A report detailing housing and support options for people in need, including but not limited to asylum seekers, across London.
This Article in a Nutshell
London now hosts a record number of asylum seekers, as revealed by new interactive maps. Nearly half live in hotels, which cost much more than regular housing. Just ten councils host over one-fifth of asylum seekers, causing major strain. Policymakers face tough choices as demand for services outpaces supply.
— By VisaVerge.com
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