Additional information provided by Siân Summers-Rees, City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice in relation to the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

During the meeting on 7 December 2016, Siân Summers-Rees, City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice, agreed to provide evidential examples of the quality of accommodation provided by Lynx House, and provided the following points:

· Difficulties accessing the complaints process both with regards to IA Accommodation (not just the Lynx Hotel) and dispersal accommodation- there is a lack of interpreters /acknowledgment, communication and feedback around turnaround times for maintenance issues/complaints;

· Bed bugs have been reported in the Lynx and it took an unacceptable time to address them;

· Complaints about the general cleanliness of all Initial Accommodation;

· The issue of bed bugs was repeatedly raised in regards to Thanes hotel (One women needed treatment for rash and itching).