Residents in Bolton town centre apartments are at risk of homelessness as Labour plans to move migrants out of hotels and into apartments start to come into force. We have been contacted by residents in at least two apartment buildings, including Renaissance Apartments, that have allegedly been taken over by Serco – the company that has the government contract for housing migrants who have crossed the English Channel illegally. We are not aware of any other buildings in the borough that may potentially be in a similar situation.
This unprecedented move comes as many Bolton residents already struggle to get onto the housing ladder. Residents in the Renaissance Apartments were given a Section 21 eviction order weeks ago, telling them they had to be out of their apartment within a month. No offer of help was given.
The Conservatives were planning to ban no-fault evictions via Section 21. The new Labour government has delayed the passing of this piece of legislation, just as companies with government contracts are exploiting it to evict British citizens.
Residents who are facing homelessness have allegedly approached Bolton at Home for support, who have supposedly told residents they may be housed in a local hotel for up to twelve months, as housing is not currently available. This applies to families too.
Bolton Conservatives, who controlled Bolton Council between 2019-2023, successfully fought the Home Office and prevented the Georgian House hotel from being used as a migrant holding centre. The current Labour-run council has so far been silent on the issue, as their government implements this disastrous policy.
Commenting, Leader of Bolton Conservatives, Cllr Nadim Muslim, said:
I find it deeply disturbing that Bolton residents are potentially being made homeless in order to facilitate Keir Starmer’s plans to move illegal migrants out of hotels and into homes. There is no way that anyone can believe this is the correct policy.
What is even more worrying is that the Labour council has been completely silent on this issue. I was part of the Conservative Cabinet that stopped the government housing more illegal migrants in hotels in Bolton. If we could do it, why can’t Labour?
The idea that British citizens will be put into hotels, as there are no homes available for them, whilst migrants get their houses beggars belief. This isn’t an issue of race, it’s an issue of common sense. And I will say it, even if others won’t.
