West Oxfordshire District Council will continue its commitment to homelessness prevention by providing more support to Ukrainian individuals, families, and other refugee groups in finding permanent homes.
Cllr Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Welfare, said, "We are delighted to be taking positive action towards improving the living situations of our refugee guests and addressing the pressing issue of homelessness in our community, which has been on the increase since the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
"We understand that these are especially challenging times for everyone, and recognise that finding a home and building a new life is incredibly tough for those facing homelessness in our community. This is especially true for our refugee guests, who often arrive with very little.
"It is our ultimate goal to maintain and expand our support for everyone in need, be it through assisting them in securing long-term accommodation, providing essential furniture and household items, or helping them access employment opportunities.”
Through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the Council has been actively supporting Ukrainian families and individuals in finding permanent homes. Additionally, the Council provides assistance with sourcing furniture, white goods, and offers general support to ensure guests have everything they need to set up their homes. The allocated funding will allow us to continue to help with essential aspects such as paying deposits and rent in advance, furnishing properties, and providing temporary accommodation.
The Council supports three primary refugee schemes: Syrian, Afghan, and Ukrainian refugees; but its support is not limited to these specific groups. The government has confirmed that the allocated funding can be used flexibly, allowing the Council to determine where these funds are best directed to help those most in need.
The Council has been granted funds of £220,541 by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) as a top-up to the Homelessness prevention Grant scheme which spans a two-year period. This funding specifically aims to support Ukrainian guests and others in need for the year 2023-2024.
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