An appeal for private landlords to come forward with vacant, or soon-to-be vacant, properties for rent, has been launched.
Accommodation is now needed across Somerset as part of a plan by local authorities in the county to move Ukranians out of sponsor accommodation and into private accommodation.
Somerset councils are offering a one-off cash incentive of £1,000 per bedroom, with up to a maximum of £4,000 for homes with four bedrooms and above.
Landlords will be asked to sign up Ukrainian tenants for a minimum 12-month term on a self-contained assured shorthold tenancy basis. They must also agree to a rent that sits within Local Housing Allowance rates.
This housing initiative is only available to households who arrived in the UK via the Homes 4 Ukraine scheme and supports access to the private rented sector for Ukrainian households who may find it difficult to access accommodation without employment references or a guarantor.
A council spokesperson says: “We know that most hosts in Somerset are happy to continue with current arrangements, to support Ukrainians living with them. However a small proportion of these are now coming to an end.
“Given the market conditions for rental costs and the challenging housing supply, options are limited. And yet we know there are privately-owned empty properties that can be utilised to support our Ukrainian friends in Somerset.
“In order for us to house refugees, we need those generous landlords to come forward to offer accommodation. We very much hope they will respond to our appeal.”
“We believe everyone deserves a safe and comfortable home. We will continue to seek new and innovative ways to house refugees because Somerset has a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to families fleeing war.”
Housing teams at the four district councils – Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset – are working together to roll-out the county’s pilot initiative.
If you can offer a suitable property please contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Call 0300 303 8588 for further details.
