Afghans living in temporary accommodation in the UK under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) will receive additional support to find settled accommodation.
A total of £35 million is being provided by the Government in new cash for local authorities, to assist in increasing the level of support available and overcoming key barriers in accessing the housing system and employment.
In addition, the Local Authority Housing Fund has been expanded by £250 million, helping councils to source homes to house Afghans currently in bridging accommodation such as hotels.
An LGA spokesperson said: “Councils share ambitions to move people from hotels and will continue to work closely with individuals and families over the coming months with local partners to help Afghan families find permanent homes.
“To ensure we do not see a further rise in homelessness as a result of a chronic shortage of properties across the UK and increase current significant pressures on homelessness teams, councils will need sufficient resources and flexibilities to assist with finding and funding accommodation, particularly for larger families.
“A place-based approach is also needed that takes into account pressures on local services and from other programmes.
“We will continue working with government to tackle the current shortage of accommodation across local communities and on the need for coordination of local arrangements, so councils can provide families and individuals with certainty and support.
“Councils also need to be involved alongside health, schools and childcare, transport, police and their communities for any new sites for asylum seekers so these are properly planned, fairly distributed across the UK and any new arrivals kept safe and supported.”
