Scores of Ukrainian refugees who came to Wiltshire under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have at some point registered as homeless or threatened with homelessness, according to a Freedom of Information request sent to Wiltshire Council.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme was launched in March 2022, just over two weeks after Russia’s invasion of the country.

The scheme is run by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and gives people the opportunity to provide free accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, whilst receiving £350 payments every month for up to twelve months.

Wiltshire Council’s response to the Freedom of Information request, received on January 19, stated that 1500 Ukrainian people have come to live in Wiltshire households since the scheme began.

It also revealed that 82 of those refugees had registered as homeless or threatened with homelessness after coming to Wiltshire.

According to the council, as well as housing advice, attempts were made to match the households with another host to enable them to remain in the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Financial assistance was also offered in helping to secure alternative accommodation in the private rented sector as well as a grant to assist households with essential equipment and furniture for new homes. 

The council also reported utilising opportunities through the Local Authority Housing Fund to purchase 24 homes to meet the needs of refugee households, as well as purchasing additional properties through other grant funding to secure them long-term homes. 

It added that all households will have a unique personal housing plan as well as a dedicated housing case worker and, in some cases, a tenancy support officer.

Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council said: “Since the Homes4Ukraine schemed was announced by the government, Wiltshire has successfully welcomed over 1600 Ukraine guests and we are one of the top local authorities for hosting Ukrainians and helping them to settle in the UK.  

“Because of the high numbers of hosts in Wiltshire we did anticipate high demands on limited accommodation and have worked extremely hard to utilise government funding to acquire longer term homes specifically to support Ukraine households.

“Utilising the Local Authority Housing Fund we have acquired 26 properties specifically for Ukraine households of which 21 are now occupied.

“Of the 1600 individual guests arriving in Wiltshire we are pleased to be able to confirm that we only have 403 who remain in sponsorship.  

"More than 600 have now successfully moved into independent accommodation, while some have moved out of Wiltshire or returned to the Ukraine.”