More than 165 East Riding hosts taken in around 380 Ukrainians since last year
The County Council says finding them permanent homes has proved difficult though
More than 165 East Riding hosts have taken in around 380 Ukrainians since last year but finding them permanent homes has proved difficult, according to council officials.
East Riding Council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Sub-Committee heard the current number of East Riding Homes for Ukraine scheme hosts was 111 as some arrivals have since moved on.
Council Housing Manager Nicola Sworowski said the East Riding’s response had been brilliant but pressures on available housing has made it harder for them to find a permanent home.
It comes as councillors separately heard 2,534 people deemed to be in the greatest need of housing remain on the authority’s waiting lists.
Councillors also heard five Afghan families had been resettled in the East Riding after the Taliban takeover of the country in 2021, with them also subject to housing supply pressures.
The Government launched Homes for Ukraine scheme in March last year weeks after Russia invaded the country.
The scheme allows households to link up with a Ukrainian to offer those forced to flee the country a place to stay in their homes.
East Riding Council receives £10,500 for every Ukrainian taken in and offers them financial support when they move on from their hosts into their own accommodation.
Hosts receive payments of £350 a month in the first year and £500 afterwards.
Councils are required to inspect their properties to make sure they are safe and fit for the arrivals to stay in.
A report to the committee stated there are around 69 guest households where people are no longer staying.
Some arrivals have since settled in the East Riding after putting down roots in communities such as their children attending local schools.
Others have settled elsewhere in the UK or have gone back to Ukraine.
But the report to councillors stated those looking to settle had struggled to find private rentals and because of their short time in the UK.
A total of 180,900 applications have been made under the Ukrainian Sponsorship Scheme which Homes for Ukraine is part of, with 151,500 visas granted as of Tuesday, January 31.
The number of visas issued under that scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme which links arrivals with relatives already in the UK was 217,000, with 265,500 applications made.
Ms Sworowski told councillors the number of hosts who came forward in the East Riding was high but added arrivals were now contending with trying to find a long term home.
The manager said: “We’ve had two new hosts come forward in January and also many Ukranians have moved on or may be living in the East Riding.
“But pressure on all housing has meant it’s not been possible to offer them coucil houses, we’ve been looking at private rentals as well.”
Meanwhile, the council report stated many Afghan arrivals into the UK were still staying in hotels as they wait to be resettled.
Two new Syrian families were resettled in the East Riding under a scheme active since 2016, with a total of 22 currently being supported.
A total of 42 families have been resettled through the scheme since its launch with many having finished support after receiving help with work and English language courses.