The headlines are everywhere: the government is offering landlords lucrative 5-year guaranteed contracts to house asylum seekers and migrants. Guaranteed income. Long term security. Government backed tenancies.

On paper, it sounds like a landlord's dream.

But I'm saying no.

And before you jump to conclusions, let me explain why because this isn't about politics, xenophobia, or lack of compassion. It's about alignment with my values and where I believe my properties can make the most meaningful impact.

## What the Government Is Offering

Let's start with the facts. The scheme, managed through local councils and the Home Office, offers:

- 5-year guaranteed contracts (significantly longer than standard ASTs)
- Government-backed rent payments (reduced risk of arrears)
- Support services included (housing officers, translators, welfare support)
- Properties paid for even during void periods in some arrangements
- Potential for bulk contracts (multiple properties under one agreement)

For landlords struggling with void periods, tenant arrears, or the uncertainty of the current rental market, this looks incredibly attractive.

And I understand why many landlords are considering it.

## Why I'm Not Participating

Here's my position, and it's deeply personal:

I feel that supporting UK veterans, homeless citizens, and vulnerable British families fits better with my moral compass.

Let me be clear: I understand the humanitarian need to house people fleeing war, persecution, and unimaginable circumstances. I'm not dismissing that need, and I respect landlords who choose to participate in this scheme.

But as a property investor with limited resources and a finite number of properties, I have to make choices about who I house and why.

And for me, that choice is clear.

### 1. Veterans Deserve Better

We have thousands of veterans sleeping rough in the UK. Men and women who served our country, risked their lives, and came home to a system that failed them.

According to recent estimates:
- Over 6,000 veterans are homeless in the UK
- Many suffer from PTSD, physical disabilities, and mental health challenges
- Veteran homelessness has increased by 14% in the past three years

These are people who wore the uniform, defended our freedoms, and deserve stable, dignified housing. If I have a property available, I'd rather it go to a veteran than be tied up in a government migrant housing contract.

### 2. UK Citizens Are Struggling Too

The housing crisis isn't just affecting one group it's affecting British families, single parents, young professionals, and vulnerable citizens who are being priced out of the rental market.

I've seen:
- Working families living in temporary accommodation
- Single mothers struggling to find landlords who accept housing benefit
- Young people stuck in house shares well into their 30s because they can't afford a one bed flat

If I have a choice between housing a British family in need or entering a government migrant scheme, I'm choosing the family every time.

### 3. Moral Alignment Matters

This isn't about being anti-immigrant or lacking compassion. It's about where I believe my properties can make the most meaningful difference.

I'm a landlord, yes, but I'm also a citizen of this country. And I believe in the principle of looking after our own first veterans, vulnerable citizens, people who've contributed to this country and fallen on hard times.

That's not controversial. That's common sense.

### 4. Long Term Contracts Limit Flexibility


From a purely business perspective, a 5-year contract ties up my property in a way that limits my options:

- Can't sell easily if market conditions change
- Can't pivot to HMO or other strategies
- Can't adjust rent to market rates
- Locked into government bureaucracy and processes

For a guaranteed income stream, some landlords will accept that trade-off. I'm not one of them.

## What I'm Doing Instead

Rather than participate in the government migrant housing scheme, I'm actively exploring ways to support veterans and vulnerable UK citizens through my property portfolio.

### 1. Partnering with Veteran Housing Charities

Organizations like:
- Veterans Aid
- Stoll (Supporting Veterans)
- SSAFA (Armed Forces Charity)

These charities work with landlords to house veterans transitionally or long-term. The rent is often guaranteed through housing benefit or charity support, and you're directly helping someone who served.

I'm in conversations with local branches to see how my properties can support their work.

### 2. Accepting Housing Benefit Tenants

Many landlords refuse housing benefit tenants due to perceived risk. I get it there are challenges. But there are also working families and vulnerable citizens who desperately need housing and are excellent tenants.

I'm working with local councils to identify:
- Working families on Universal Credit top ups
- Single parents in stable employment
- Disabled citizens who need accessible housing

These tenants often stay longer, treat the property well, and are incredibly grateful for landlords willing to give them a chance.

### 3. Offering Affordable Rent Where Possible


I'm not a charity, and my properties need to be profitable. But where I have flexibility, I'm choosing to:

- Keep rents slightly below market rate for quality tenants
- Prioritize long-term, stable tenancies over maximum profit
- Work with tenants facing temporary financial difficulties rather than evicting immediately

It's not always the most profitable approach, but it aligns with my values.

## The Bigger Picture: Who Should We Prioritize?

This is where the conversation gets uncomfortable, but it needs to be had.

Should landlords prioritize housing migrants over UK citizens in need?

I don't think so.

And here's why: housing is a finite resource. Every property I commit to the government migrant scheme is a property that's not available to:

- A veteran sleeping rough
- A British family in temporary accommodation
- A young professional trying to start their life

The government has a responsibility to house asylum seekers, I don't dispute that. But that responsibility shouldn't fall on private landlords at the expense of UK citizens in need.

If the government wants to house migrants, they should:
- Build more social housing
- Invest in temporary accommodation facilities
- Increase funding for local councils

They shouldn't be outsourcing the problem to private landlords while thousands of British veterans sleep on the streets.

## What About the Landlords Who Say Yes?

I respect landlords who choose to participate in this scheme. For some, it's a business decision guaranteed income, long-term security, reduced void risk.

For others, it's a moral decision they believe in helping people in desperate circumstances, regardless of nationality.

Both are valid choices.

But for me, the choice is equally clear: I'd rather house a British veteran, a struggling family, or a vulnerable UK citizen.

That's not politics. That's principle.

## The Questions Nobody's Asking

Here are the questions I think we should be asking as a country:

1. Why are we offering 5-year guaranteed contracts to house migrants when we can't guarantee housing for our own veterans?

2. Why are private landlords being incentivized to house asylum seekers while British families struggle to find landlords who accept housing benefits?

3. Why is the government outsourcing this responsibility to private landlords instead of investing in social housing?

4. What message does this send to UK citizens in housing need that they're a lower priority?

These aren't easy questions, and I don't pretend to have all the answers. But I do know this: as a landlord, I have a choice about who I house. And I'm choosing to prioritize UK citizens in need.

## The Bottom Line

The government's 5-year migrant housing scheme might work for some landlords. It doesn't work for me.

I'd rather:
- House a veteran who served this country
- Support a British family struggling in the rental market
- Help a vulnerable UK citizen get back on their feet

That's where my properties will go. That's where I believe they'll make the most meaningful difference.

And if that makes me controversial, so be it.

## What Do You Think?

This is a conversation worth having. Whether you agree or disagree with my stance, I'd love to hear your perspective.

Landlords: Are you considering the government migrant housing scheme? Why or why not?

Tenants: Do you think landlords should prioritize UK citizens in housing need?

Veterans/Citizens: What's your experience trying to find housing in the current market?

Drop a comment below or get in touch let's have an honest, respectful conversation about who we house and why.


## About the Author

Roger Goodwin is the Managing Director of Into Property Investing and manages a portfolio of seven properties across the North West of England. He's passionate about ethical property investment and exploring ways to support veterans and vulnerable UK citizens through housing.