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Asylum: Housing

Asked by Carla LockhartDemocratic Unionist PartyHome OfficeTabled Answered 6 January 2026UIN 100677

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many residential properties secured by her Department and its contractors in the Upper Bann constituency have been unoccupied for more than (a) three months, (b) six months, and (c) twelve months; and for what reasons each such property has not been brought into use.

Answered by Alex Norris

The Home Office does not publish data on the utilisation of asylum accommodation. We aim to utilise our estate as fully as possible, however, as with all types of accommodation properties may be temporarily vacant for a variety of operational reasons, including the need for maintenance or refurbishment work, or while awaiting allocation to new occupants following the departure of previous residents.

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