Portsmouth City Council’s lobbying has secured assurances that no further properties in the city will be designated for asylum dispersal accommodation. Clearsprings Ready Homes will maintain existing provision only.
The council declared a housing crisis last year after temporary accommodation demand surged 54% and costs jumped 84%. Subsequently, it has consistently argued Portsmouth already houses more than its fair share of asylum seekers and the Government should prioritise other locations.
This approach has now yielded results, with Clearsprings Ready Homes—which oversees Government asylum accommodation across southern England—confirming it will not seek additional dispersal properties in Portsmouth. Instead, the company intends to maintain and administer its current portfolio within the city.
Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, stated: “We’ve repeatedly emphasised the Government should consider alternative areas before placing more people in Portsmouth, and they appear to be listening now. Whilst we recognise asylum is a national matter and we’ll support those placed in our city, we’re facing a housing crisis and already meet our obligations.
“We’ve received confirmation that presently no additional Portsmouth properties will be utilised for asylum dispersal accommodation, and we’ll continue pressing Government to uphold this policy.”
The Government operates a nationwide programme distributing asylum seekers throughout the country. In Portsmouth, asylum accommodation is commissioned by Government and administered by Clearsprings Ready Homes on its behalf. The city council has no authority over placements made through the national asylum dispersal scheme.
June 2025 Government data indicates 617 asylum seekers were housed in dispersal accommodation across Portsmouth. This figure aligns with the average over the previous two years. Complete data is available on the Government website: Regional and local authority data on immigration groups – GOV.UK.
Councils have no involvement in housing asylum seekers; this is managed entirely by Government.
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When an asylum application succeeds, the individual gains refugee status and permanent UK residency rights. This status confers no special council benefits; refugees receive identical treatment to anyone else and are assessed on individual need.
Since April 2025, Portsmouth City Council has housed three refugee households from a total of 623 households accommodated citywide during this period.
