Government funding supports Ukrainian housing needs in Wiltshire

Friday, 4 November 2022 00:00

Wiltshire Council is using government funding to help secure homes for Ukraine nationals where host families can no longer provide a home for them, and all other options have been explored.

The council will use the government funding for Ukraine families to support the initiative to secure homes across the county.

Wiltshire is one of the top authorities in England for taking in Ukraine nationals due to the war.

Currently, 578 sponsors are matched with 1,369 individuals in Wiltshire, and 879 guests are accommodated in 377 households across Wiltshire.

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, hosts need to provide a home for a minimum of six months. The council has asked sponsors to advise whether they can continue to provide a home after that time, and many have already confirmed that they can, so the council can work with families.

In line with the council’s general support for homeless families, officers will work on a number of options for Ukraine nationals, including looking for homes in the private sector or temporary accommodation.

For those Ukraine families that need to look for other accommodation, the council already offers a deposit guarantee and a month’s rent in advance, as long as it can be confirmed that this would not be affordable for the family and also the property they are moving into is both suitable and affordable for the family afterwards.

The Government funding will then be utilised to enable Stone Circle Housing Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wiltshire Council that was set up for the benefit of Wiltshire residents, to purchase homes across Wiltshire. These will become available over a period of time.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Wiltshire has welcomed many Ukraine guests, and they have settled into our county well. Our sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have been generous in opening up their homes, and we thank them for everything they have done and to those who continue to provide a home. As the six months, minimum time expires however there will be some Ukraine nationals who face an uncertain future, and this is an issue we need to address.

“We are going to use the government funding in an innovative way to purchase homes that can be used for Ukraine nationals now and for wider use into the future. We are still working out the details, and this is still early days, but we will keep everyone updated as we move forward. The government has provided all local authorities with funding to support Ukraine guests, and we believe this will be an effective way for people to continue to live safely in our county.”

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