AN INCREASING number of Ukrainian refugees are facing homelessness in Basingstoke, as numbers jump across England.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March, refugees have been invited to stay in the UK under the Ukrainian Sponsorship and Family schemes.

These schemes set up refugees with hosts in the UK for an initial six months, who receive support from their appropriate council and a stipend of £350.

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New figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show across both schemes, 10 refugee households had been made homeless or put at risk of homelessness in Basingstoke and Deane as of September 23 – while five had four weeks prior.

Hosts sign on for an initial six months, and while the Government says it will continue to provide support for an additional six months, several charities have said they are worried people may choose not to, given the rising costs of food and fuel.

Stan Benes, a trustee for Opora, a charity which helps Ukrainians settling in the UK, said that the lead reason for hosting arrangements breaking down was "the health of the relationship between guests and hosts", adding that many hosts did not have sufficient guidance or support when signing up to the scheme.

In Basingstoke, a breakdown of the hosting arrangement was the main reason for homelessness in six cases.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “Across Hampshire we are seeing increasing pressure on local housing authorities for a number of reasons, including the fact that a growing number of Homes for Ukraine hosts who signed up to the Government’s scheme have come, or are coming to the end of their initial six-month accommodation sponsorship.

“The county council continues to work with Hampshire’s District and borough councils, who have local responsibility for housing, to check in with hosts and guests at the six-month point. This is helping to identify when guests may wish or need to move on and any support that may be required, such as assistance into private rental accommodation or re-matching with a new host."

The county council has recently increased the amount paid to hosts by £200 for the next five months to reflect the current cost of living crisis. 

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Kate Randall, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s head of housing and social inclusion, said: “Since Ukrainian guests began arriving in our borough the council has been working hard with the county council to ensure that expert help and support is available to them. This includes appointing dedicated officers within our housing team and Basingstoke Voluntary Action.

“As is to be expected with 163 sponsorship arrangements in place in our borough, a small number have broken down. A range of initiatives have been put in place which aim to prevent this or to offer options in situations where breakdowns are irretrievable." 

For more go to basingstoke.gov.uk/Ukraine