South Gloucestershire Council and housing partners are delivering an additional 43 affordable homes for refugees from Ukraine or Afghanistan who are at risk of homelessness or living in bridging accommodation.
The homes are additional to the supply of new affordable homes provided in the area each year, helping reduce the impact on existing housing pressures and ultimately creating a legacy for domestic households once the needs of the resettled community have been met. A range of both new and existing homes across the district are being provided to meet the need of the resettlement households.
The council is working with several Approved Registered Provider partners, including Bromford housing association, to deliver these homes before the end of March 2024.
The new affordable housing has been funded by £6.8 million allocated from the Government’s new Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF).
Representatives from the council and Bromford housing association gathered on 27 February at South Gloucestershire Council’s Yate offices to celebrate the completion of the first of the additional homes.
Councillor Claire Young, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are delighted to see these additional affordable homes provided, which will help refugees in the area find a suitable and settled place to live.
“This is a collaborative project delivered locally by the council’s Housing Enabling Team in cooperation with our Resettling Communities and HomeChoice teams, who I send thanks to, as well as to partners from the housing associations.
“I’m pleased this funding has not only provided housing for the immediate need but will also help reduce pressure on our local services, benefiting people across South Gloucestershire. This is a significant amount of money invested in the area, which will provide a great boost to the local economy.”
Felicity Hill, project manager at Bromford, said: “As the biggest housing association in South Gloucestershire we’re delighted to be working with the council to provide homes to those who have fled conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan. By working closely with our development partners we have used the funding to acquire 18 additional properties in areas where we already have a strong presence. This ensures that not only will we be providing people with safe, secure and affordable place to live, but will be able to help them thrive in their new homes as well.”
Volodymyr and Oleksandra said: “Dear South Gloucestershire Council. Our Ukrainian family wants to express our sincere gratitude for caring for us and other Ukrainian families. We really appreciate what you do for us. We were forced to leave our homes, and you gave us shelter! We feel at home in this new apartment. Even the sun shines in a new way now. I want to live and dream again! We thank you! We wish you success!”
Tatiana, Serhiy, Vladislav and Darina said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Team for providing us with a new social house, which we received in December. The house is very comfortable, clean, we are pleased to live here. We sincerely thank you for your help and for the fact that you supported us in a difficult moment and helped us with the house! We wish you good health, well-being, may the Lord bless you abundantly in all your new endeavours.”
