Haringey Council faces challenges in housing Ukrainian refugees

Funding cuts are putting pressure on the pivotal Homes for Ukraine scheme, reports Olivia Opara

A recent report has found that local authorities are facing challenges to support Ukrainian refugees due to limitations and reduced funding in the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme (HFU).

Local councils have been central to supporting Ukrainian refugees through the HFU, which enables Ukrainians with no family ties to the UK to be sponsored by local individuals or organisations which can offer them housing. However, a report published by the Work Rights Centre reveals that councils are struggling following reduced funding for the scheme. The initial council tariffs for the HFU of £10,500 have been reduced to £5,900 per Ukrainian refugee, whilst optional ‘thank you’ payments, which sponsors housing refugees can apply for, have increased to £500 as of January. Councils receive separate funding for the monthly payments and a one-off £200 payment to refugees.

Haringey has welcomed more than 450 Ukrainian refugees over the past year and the council’s resettlement team has provided them with housing support and access to key services with help from residents, schools and community organisations.

Cabinet member for health, social care and wellbeing, Lucia das Neves, said that the pressure on the housing sector is critical and needs to be addressed by the government. “A local solution simply doesn’t work,” she claimed.

The council currently faces difficulties in finding affordable housing for Ukrainian refugees, despite offering grants of more than £4,000 per household for deposits and fees. They find the reduction in government funding concerning.

“[The] government must address the true resource requirements of supporting Ukrainian refugees, with a national long term response put in place,” said Cllr das Neves. “Nonetheless, we will continue to do everything in our power to support Ukrainian refugees in Haringey.”

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