Why Are We Working Hard for Asylum Seekers?': Fury as Migrants Given £300k Townhomes Rent Free in Suffolk

A quiet village in Suffolk has become the epicentre of a heated national debate after it emerged that four newly built townhouses, each valued at £300,000, have been allocated rent-free to asylum seekers.

The decision, made without prior consultation with residents, has sparked frustration and raised questions about housing priorities and transparency.

Luxury Homes for Migrants Stir Local Backlash

The homes, described in promotional materials as 'designed for modern living and comfort,' feature en-suite bathrooms, underfloor heating, and electric vehicle charging points.

Leased by public services firm Serco on behalf of the Home Office, the properties are being used to house migrant families while their asylum applications are processed.

Each of the three-bedroom townhouses is estimated to have a rental value of £1,200 per month. At least one family is reported to have moved in, having arrived through legal channels and applied for asylum after their visa expired.

Residents say the move came as a surprise. 'People are working hard to try to get on the property ladder and they're not considered,' said Clive Bloomfield, a 62-year-old gardener and lifelong resident of the village. His wife, Susan, added, 'We're paying for all of this. Why are we working hard for asylum seekers to get everything for free?'

Community Divided Over Housing Decision

The reaction among villagers has been mixed. While many expressed anger over the lack of consultation and perceived unfairness, others supported the initiative. One local councillor claimed the community had responded 'very positively' to the use of the townhouses.

However, mother-of-two Laura Garland, 40, said the decision had caused uproar. 'There are people born in this country who pay taxes who can't get housing. Then you have families who are put straight into brand-new three-bedroom houses. The worst thing is — none of us knew. We've been kept in the dark,' she told reporters.

Local joiner Dylan Keseru, 26, echoed the sentiment: 'You hear the news and think this is in the towns and cities. But now it is hitting home, it's right next door. There are a lot of teenagers in the village who might like the opportunity to buy a place here, so for housing like that to be let out to asylum seekers — paid for by taxpayers — is unbelievable.'

Government Policy and Housing Strategy Under Scrutiny

The controversy comes amid the Labour government's pledge to phase out the use of asylum hotels by 2029, shifting towards private housing solutions across the UK.

The Suffolk townhouses appear to be part of this broader strategy, though critics argue that local families in need should have been prioritised.

While the government has a legal obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers during the processing of their claims, the choice of high-spec homes in a sought-after village has raised eyebrows nationwide.

Calls for Transparency and Fairness

As the debate continues, residents are demanding greater transparency from local authorities and the Home Office. Many are calling for more straightforward guidelines on how housing decisions are made and who is consulted in the process.

The situation in Suffolk reflects broader tensions across the UK, where housing shortages and migration policy intersect in increasingly complex ways.