More than 650 Ukrainian refugees to England have been left homeless. Families, including children, have had to seek help from councils after placements broke down.
Between February 24 and June 3, councils across England have helped 660 households who fled the war in Ukraine but then found themselves facing homelessness in the UK. That includes 180 single households and 480 with dependent children.
There are two routes to help Ukrainians get visas to come to the UK. The Ukraine Family Scheme allows applicants to join family members, or extend their stay, in the UK, while Homes for Ukraine allows people to offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine, either someone they know or someone they’ve been matched with through the scheme, as a sponsor.
The figures show 145 placements through the Homes for Ukraine scheme have broken down to the point where a council has had to step in. In 90 cases the accommodation arrangement broke down, while in 55 cases the accommodation on offer wasn’t available or suitable when the person arrived.
Of those who had arrived under the Family Scheme, 175 had sought homelessness help because the accommodation arrangement had broken down, with 280 needing help because the accommodation wasn’t available or suitable on arrival.
In some cases, the situation has been resolvable, meaning homelessness was prevented. This happened in 140 cases, with 45 solved through mediation and 20 households rematched with a new sponsor.
In other situations, a council has had to find the homeless households new accommodation. Across England, 345 households have been put up in temporary accommodation, while 60 have been found settled accommodation.
Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, said: “It is worrying to hear that desperate Ukrainian families who have fled war, endured trauma and heartbreak, arriving here entrusting their safety in our hands have been left to fall into homelessness.
“Ukrainian families arriving here need a warm welcome, safe housing and benefits, emotional support and connection. We’re concerned that Ukrainians arriving on family visas are running into problems as not all relatives will have the space or the resources to support their family members – which is why there needs to be the same level of funding available to them and local councils as is provided under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“We welcomed the thousands of British people that came forward to open their homes, however these hosting relationships were always going to come with risks and responsibilities. That is why it is vital the government ensure that hosts and refugees are provided with the right training and specialist support – including help to find alternative accommodation when necessary to avoid the risk of homelessness.”
Commenting on the figures, a government spokesperson told the Guardian that more than 77,200 Ukrainians have arrived in the UK since Putin’s invasion, and the overwhelming majority are settling in well, but in the minority of cases where family or sponsor relationships break down, councils have a duty to ensure families are not left without a roof over their head. Councils also have access to a rematching service to find a new sponsor in cases under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.