Ukrainian refugees homeless within months of arriving in the North East

Stark figures unearthed by The Northern Echo show nearly 50 Ukrainians have been identified as homeless or at risk of homelessness since arriving in the North East after fleeing their war-torn country.

And experts say the problem could worsen amid the cost-of-living crisis as hosts struggle to make ends meet.

Councils have spent more than £55,000 on temporary accommodation for people who arrived in the region under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Read more: My life during the first days of the war in Ukraine

An Echo investigation found authorities have turned to AirBnBs, hostels, refuges and hotels to house those whose sponsorship agreements have broken down, with stays ranging from one night to almost three months.

Since the scheme – which sees volunteer hosts open their homes to refugees – launched in March, around 70 sponsorship arrangements have broken down.

Those affected represent a fraction of the Ukrainians who have arrived in the North East, where most are settling happily, according to the Government.

However, responses to our Freedom of Information request revealed at least 116 Ukrainians have been relocated since arriving, while 47 people have faced homelessness.

Among the reasons behind sponsorship agreements breaking down were safeguarding concerns, relationship problems, noisy and unsuitable accommodation and evictions.

Many Ukrainians have fled their war-torn country

Where arrangements fail, councils have a duty to ensure people are not left without a roof over their heads, according to a Government spokeswoman.

They can recoup up to £10,500 for costs related to settling individuals and in limited circumstances, can access a rematching service.

The Echo found Durham County Council paid more than £22,500 to accommodate nine people for a total of 315 nights in temporary accommodation while Sunderland City Council spent more than £10,000, with one stay authorised for 85 nights.

They represent the highest spends on temporary accommodation of 13 councils that responded to our FOI request on time.

Read more: The Ukrainian sisters who have made Darlington their home

Gordon Elliott from Durham County Council said the authority had a raft of measures in place to help Ukrainians settle into their new homes, from safeguarding checks to property inspections, interpreters and assistance with schools and employment.

He said the council was committed to offering humanitarian support and would continue to help those in need of accommodation.

A spokesman for Sunderland City Council said the majority of hosts in the area were continuing with the scheme and that the authority had received funding to support Ukrainians arriving and living in the city.

But Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, suggested it was inevitable that hosting arrangements would face challenges in the long-term.

Calling on the Government to provide appropriate support and funding, he said hundreds of Ukrainians – mostly women and children – were at risk of homelessness nationally due to hosting complications.

He added: “Now the additional burden of the cost of living on families in the UK poses a further threat to vulnerable Ukrainians.”

Mr Solomon said the Government must ensure its schemes are fit for purpose and both refugees and host families are effectively supported.

Ukrainian Sponsorship Pathway UK is a Government-recognised provider of support for those coming into the UK via the scheme.

A spokeswoman said fewer people are coming forward to be hosts and many who signed up initially have changed their minds.

She said it is vital that hosts were fully aware of what they are signing up to do, adding: “We recognise that some people who applied to be sponsors did not consider how big a responsibility it is to host.”

Read next:

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