The LGA and councils continue to raise significant concerns around Afghan families presenting as homeless, with thousands due to be evicted from hotels in late July and August.
As of March, around 8,000 Afghans remained in temporary accommodation – 18 months after being evacuated when Western powers withdrew from Afghanistan.
The Government announced then that it would be serving notice on people still in hotels and has provided additional funding to councils to help them find settled accommodation.
In late July, Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer MP confirmed that a small number of bridging hotels will remain open for Afghans with medical needs, or those who have been ‘pre-matched’ by councils to properties that are not yet ready to move into.
LGA Chair Cllr Shaun Davies said it was good that some certainty had been provided for these families.
However, he warned that increased demand for, and the acute shortage of, housing “will make it extremely challenging” for Afghans to find homes before their hotels close.
“Councils remain hugely concerned that large numbers of families – some of whom are particularly vulnerable – may have to end up presenting as homeless,” he said.
“This will mean them having to move into high-cost temporary accommodation rather than permanent homes.
“Councils will do all they can to minimise multiple moves and disruption for families in the remaining time before the hotel closures start, and to secure places in schools for any children moving to new areas when these start again in the autumn.”