Politicians have made a cross-party call to extend support for Ukrainian refugees to prevent them becoming homeless.
More than 70 MPs and peers including former home secretary Priti Patel have signed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ending Homelessness’ letter calling for funding to be increased.
They highlighted figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that showed 4,295 Ukrainian households have presented to councils as homeless.
The Local Government Association has for months been raising concerns with the Government over the growing numbers, with a 44% increase between November and January.
Ministers have increased thank you payments to sponsors from £350 per month to £500, but, although funding to local authorities was extended beyond the first year, it was reduced from £10,500 per refugee to £9,500 and does not apply to people who arrived via family visas.
The cost of living crisis has led to hosts being no longer able to support refugees while the shortage of affordable housing makes it difficult for them to move on from sponsorship into their own homes.
Members of the APPG called for extended financial support, including for those on family visas, and the appointment of a new minister for refugees.
In a statement on behalf of the APPG, MPs Bob Blackman and Florence Eshalomi said: ‘As we approach a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is unacceptable that thousands of people who arrived in the UK to escape the conflict are now facing homelessness.
‘While the announcement of continued funding under the existing schemes for both sponsors and refugees is welcome, more must be done to prevent increasing numbers of Ukrainian refugees from being forced into homelessness.’
This article was originally published by The MJ (£).
