Wales to share in fund to help Ukrainians into their own homes
More than 6,700 people have arrived here since war broke out
£8 million of a UK Government fund will go towards helping Ukrainians into their own homes and to continue sponsorship arrangements in Wales, it has been announced.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, more than 124,000 people have arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, 6,700 of those in Wales.
The new money will go to councils to help Ukrainian families into private rented accommodation and find work.
It will also go towards continuing sponsorship arrangements, as many guests are in their second year in the UK.
The £150 million fund is being divided across the UK according to the number of Ukrainians in each nation - England will receive around £109 million, Scotland £30 million and Northern Ireland £2 million.
Those hosting Ukrainians will continue to receive a monthly £350 thank-you payment during guests' first 12 months, rising to £500 a month during the following year.
In March, the Red Cross warned many Ukrainians are staying in "inappropriate" accommodation.
UK housing minister Felicity Buchan said: "The UK has an honourable tradition of offering shelter to those fleeing the horrors of war.
"Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of hosts in this country, over 124,000 Ukrainians have now found safety in the UK.
"Sadly, the fighting in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon, so we are appealing for more people to become hosts while providing councils with this additional funding to support guests into long-term housing."
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “Wales continues to stand with Ukraine and our solidarity with its people has never been stronger.
“More than 6,700 Ukrainian people have so far been welcomed to Welsh homes, providing sanctuary for those in need and it has brought out the best of the community spirit for which Wales is so famous.
“I’d like to thank all those across Wales who have opened their doors and the UK Government will also continue to do all it can to support the people of Ukraine as the announcement of £8m extra funding for Wales demonstrates.”