Open Letter: Why Am I a Lower Priority for Housing?

Published on: 3 May, 2025
Updated on: 4 May, 2025

A Guildford resident and former soldier has sent in his letter of complaint to Guildford Borough Council for publication. We forwarded it to GBC inviting a response which is included below.

From Ian Clarke

Dear Guildford Borough Council,

I am submitting a formal complaint regarding the housing allocation and prioritisation practices within Guildford Borough, particularly how they appear to disadvantage vulnerable local residents — including ex-service personnel — in favour of recently arrived migrants, asylum seekers, and resettled groups such as Ukrainian nationals.

As a long-term UK resident, former soldier, and registered vulnerable applicant with PTSD, I have experienced repeated delays, misinformation, and lack of support while trying to secure suitable housing through your services.

Despite my clear vulnerability and established ties to this community, I continue to be overlooked, while individuals and families with no prior connection to Guildford or Surrey are visibly housed, often quickly.

I want to be clear: this is not about prejudice or denying others safety.

However, when local veterans, vulnerable adults, and hidden homeless residents are left without housing, while those newly arrived (including via resettlement schemes or illegal crossings) are provided support and accommodation, it raises serious questions about fairness, equality, and the use of public resources.

I am specifically asking:

1. What policy or legal basis does Guildford Borough Council use to justify prioritising new arrivals, including asylum seekers and resettled foreign nationals, ahead of vulnerable British citizens who are already within the system?

2. What percentage of properties allocated in the past 3 years in Guildford have gone to asylum seekers, Ukrainian arrivals, or other migrants not previously on the housing register?

3. What specific support is in place for veterans and ex-forces personnel, and why am I — someone with significant need — not being housed despite qualifying vulnerability?

I request a full explanation of your policy, your housing data, and how you are meeting your obligations to local vulnerable groups, not just those referred under national directives.

This is not an abstract concern. We have thousands of asylum seekers arriving by boat every month nationally, and housing pressure in the South East is growing. If the system continues to ignore people like me — who have served the country and now rely on its support — then it is no longer fair or lawful.

Please treat this as a separate logged complaint. I await your full response.

Kind regards,

Ian Clarke

The Guildford Dragon NEWS asked GBC for a response.

A spokesperson said: “As a council, we provide homelessness support services to those that need it. We always do all we can to support residents.

“We are aware of this complaint and will respond in line with our published complaints process.

“Anyone who is homeless or has nowhere safe to sleep at night can approach the Council for an assessment. This can be done:

• in person at our reception during office opening hours
• by using our customer services online form(opens new window)
• calling 01483 505050
• or email housingadvice@guildford.gov.uk. 

“The homelessness emergency out of hours number is 01344 949371.”

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