‘They’ve got to go somewhere’: Bolton residents on the rise of HMOs

Residents in Horwich, a suburb of Bolton, are expressing growing frustration over the rise of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). With over 700 such properties in the area, many locals, like Stuart, are caught off guard by the rapid transformation of family homes into multi-tenant units. This shift not only affects the neighborhood's character but also raises concerns about community stability and housing availability. As more families find themselves living next to HMOs, the need for local councils to address these changes becomes increasingly urgent.