‘Don’t demonise them’ – locals have their say on housing asylum seekers in Huddersfield student flats

Public opinion is split on the government’s plans to house asylum seekers at Huddersfield student accommodation.

In August, we reported that 168 students had been forced to make alternative living arrangements after the Home Office took over the “luxury” student accommodation at the HD1 complex to house asylum seekers.

To date, the Home Office has provided very little detail on the plans but says that they are engaging with the council and key stakeholders. However, Kirklees Council has recently spoken out with “major concerns“.

We headed to Huddersfield speaking to residents, students, and shoppers to learn their thoughts on the matter.

Local resident Marcus Georgiou said: “I think it’s fine. Why shouldn’t they be given help? There’s far too much judgement for people who need to be given care. To demonise people for needing help is completely the wrong thing to do and it sends the wrong message.

“I don’t think there’s any heightened danger. There are people mistreating each other all the time. We need to vote people in who care about people.”

Sajid who has lived in the area while the site was being used for student accommodation spoke of the area’s issues with crime and said: “As long as they’re families it’s fine. It was horrible when it was used for students.

“Since all the student accommodation has happened, it’s all gone downhill.”

Huddersfield couple Jim and Jill said they were “shocked” when they learned of the plans. They said: “It’s absolutely disgraceful. We’re from Huddersfield and we were talking about the demise of the area.

“When you look at education, it’s an important sector and to turn round and say you’ve got nowhere to stay…

“To do it with such short notice is absolutely disgusting. I don’t know what the answer is.”

Josh who is a student at the University said: “In most Huddersfield accommodation, the rooms are empty. I’d say at least one room in the halls is empty. It’s not the end of the world.

Fellow student Fred said: “I think as long as there’s space for everyone. In accommodation, there are a lot of empty rooms. You could say you could put the asylum seekers in the empty rooms instead of displacing students.”

“They could build some more accommodation. If they’re bringing them over, they’ve got to have some accommodation.”

Student, Callum said the last-minute nature of the plans was “poor management from the government”. He added: “It’s definitely unfair if you’re already planning to start in September. You might have planned your life around that move.

“They might come over within a week and you could’ve been waiting for a year.”

Another student at the University who wished to remain anonymous said: “They’re both deserving. It’s a difficult subject. Both need housing.

Pasquale Iacovelli, who regularly visits Huddersfield said: “This happens everywhere. I’m from Oldham and it’s exactly the same.”

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