Local authorities are urging for an immediate reassessment of the financial aid provided to Ukrainian refugees, as approximately 9,000 have stated that they are homeless and a significant number require ongoing assistance. This is concerning as the ongoing conflict shows no signs of resolution after two years.
On Sunday, the government declared that it would prolong the three-year visas of Ukrainian citizens who fled from the war by an additional 18 months.
Councils, MPs, and other individuals who had been advocating for a resolution to the issue of expiring visas in March 2025 have expressed their approval of the recent decision. The lack of clarity regarding their future work or study has caused many individuals to experience anxiety and poor mental health, making this move highly welcomed.
Despite the approaching second anniversary of the conflict, councils continue to experience significant pressure in providing housing for refugees who are seeking asylum and assisting those who wish to leave their sponsor hosts.
The Local Government Association stated that the ongoing portrayal of Ukrainian refugees as lacking a permanent residence, with about 4,500 being affected each year, was primarily caused by issues with sponsorship agreements.
The number of individuals in temporary housing has increased by 25% since last year, reaching 820. Out of the total of 9,000, approximately 6,000 have been able to avoid or alleviate homelessness with the help of local councils.
Roger Gough, the spokesperson for the LGA on asylum, refugees, and migration, stated that councils put in a great deal of effort to assist with asylum and resettlement, and have aided in communities receiving approximately 200,000 refugees from Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
Unfortunately, the combination of various programs for seeking asylum and resettling individuals is still being made worse by a lack of available housing. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the amount of Ukrainians and refugees who are forced to leave their asylum housing and declare themselves as homeless.
The Ukraine visa programs were created to offer temporary refuge. The funding plans for councils to assist new arrivals need to be reviewed urgently, as councils are still providing important long-term support, such as integration and housing aid, as sponsorship agreements expire.
Families in the UK have played a significant role in hosting a substantial number of Ukrainian immigrants, with hosts receiving a monthly payment of £350 in the first year and £500 in the second year. However, a considerable portion of these arrangements have now concluded.
Numerous families in Ukraine have faced challenges in obtaining private rental housing in regions with limited availability, as landlords often require substantial upfront payments and guarantees.
Baljeet Nijjhar, a member of the volunteer organization Ukrainian Refugee Help, expressed appreciation for the visa announcement. However, Nijjhar emphasized that Ukrainians require much more support in order to achieve self-sufficiency.
Nijjhar stated that in order to make the transition, they require assistance from local councils who are willing to act as rent guarantors.
“We encourage all councils to implement consistent policies in utilizing the additional funds provided by the government to avoid creating a ‘postcode lottery’ for Ukrainians.”
London Councils, an organization representing 32 local governments in the city, also highlighted the issue of homelessness when sponsorship ends or when family housing is deemed inadequate.
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The group stated that the high cost of living in London, where only 2.3% of private rental housing is considered affordable based on local housing allowance rates, and the demand for large rent payments from landlords, are significant factors leading to homelessness.
“Out of the 1,720 households that are required to fulfill a duty in London, 650 are families who arrived through the Family Scheme. Unfortunately, there is no funding available for these particular arrivals.”
Pauline Latham, a Member of Parliament from the Conservative party, recently led a debate in Parliament advocating for extensions to Ukrainian visas beyond the current deadline of March 2025. She also urged for consideration on finding long-term housing solutions for Ukrainians in order to enable them to move forward with their lives.
“We must address the potential risk of homelessness for Ukrainians as the Homes for Ukraine program reaches its conclusion,” she stated.
Several sponsors are unable to sustain the cost of supporting refugees, and numerous Ukrainian households desire to have their own residence in order to gain autonomy. I am aware of sponsors who are fervently searching for private housing options for Ukrainians, but it is a challenging task due to the limited availability.
A representative from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated that they offer a tariff of £5,900 per person to councils for the Homes for Ukraine program. This is to assist individuals and families, even in rare cases where someone does not have accommodation.
“We aim to prevent individuals from becoming homeless by providing councils with a budget of £1 billion over a period of three years. This will assist them in aiding individuals in finding permanent housing and moving out of temporary accommodations. Additionally, we have allocated an extra £109 million this year specifically to prevent homelessness in the Ukrainian community.”
The Ukrainian government is optimistic that a significant number of refugees will choose to return to their homeland after the resolution of the conflict, instead of permanently relocating to other places.
Regarding the visa extensions, Tom Pursglove, who serves as an immigration minister, stated: “This newly implemented visa extension program offers assurance and peace of mind for Ukrainians residing in the UK amidst ongoing conflict. We remain committed to providing a secure refuge for those seeking to escape the turmoil.”
Source: theguardian.com
