A new support package for refugees, announced in December, includes increased ‘thank you’ payments for longer-term hosts of Ukrainian arrivals and a £500 million fund for councils to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict.
Homes for Ukraine hosts will now receive £500 a month for ongoing support after the first year of sponsorship, and an additional £150 million was announced for local authorities to help support guests moving into their own homes.
However, council funding for new arrivals will reduce.
LGA Chairman Cllr James Jamieson said: “While we are keen to see further detail on how the schemes will work in practice, we are pleased that the Government has been working with the LGA and councils on funding to help families move to their own homes, reduce homelessness risks, and help local partners acquire more housing.
“We are also pleased to see the extension of thank you payments to generous hosts offering up their homes for more than a year, and support for new sponsors to step forward as the crisis in Ukraine continues.
“The need for ongoing funding to integrate arrivals into their new communities, build their independence and keep them safe is crucial. We are therefore pleased that this funding is to continue, though we have concerns that the amount is to be reduced.”
He added: “There is a real crisis in the refugee and asylum system, which is compounded by a housing crisis.
“It is good the Government is starting to take action around a joined-up approach to challenges across all programmes, including for asylum seekers.
“We look forward to continuing to work with them to identify and implement further solutions to accommodation challenges.”