A LEADING property association is encouraging its members to help join the national campaign in providing accomodation for Ukrainian refugees.

According to latest figures, a staggering 100,000 people have registered with the Homes for Ukraine initiative.
But experts say many more sign-ups will be needed to meet demand from the eight million homeless refugees.

Jonathan Rolande, from the National Association of Property Buyers, said his organisation was in the process of writing to all its members urging them to try and help.

He said: “We will be encouraging our members to look at property within their ownership and make it available to refugees wherever practical.

“It seems at this moment people are being encouraged to make space available in their own homes rather than housing refugees in empty, self-contained accommodation. In the short term this makes sense, a UK host will be able to make their sponsored refugee feel welcome and assist them with integration to the country. However, this arrangement may not suit every Ukrainian – for example those who may already be familiar with the UK or those who wish to have more privacy. That’s why it’s important that the message is extended to landlords, some of whom may be able to arrange tenancies for free. But we also need to think about longer term plans and how we can help Ukrainans who might need to stay here for a longer period. The Government has already said this war could last a decade.

“So measures like reduced rents and freeing up landlords to be able to offer shorter tenancies and lets, could be really important in helping providing a solution to this crisis.”

Last month Michael Gove said the Government’s scheme to allow people to sponsor Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK will initially only be open to people with known connections.

The Communities Secretary promised the scheme would soon be “rapidly” expanded “in a phased way” to ensure charities, churches and community groups can be matched with Ukrainians who they do not know and need help.
Launching the scheme in the Commons, Mr Gove said has a “long and proud history” of supporting the most vulnerable “in their darkest hours”, adding: “The British people have already opened their hearts in so many ways, I’m hopeful that many will also be ready to open their homes and to help those fleeing persecution find peace, healing and the prospect of a brighter future.”

Individuals, charities, community groups and businesses can now register their interest in bringing Ukrainians fleeing the war to safety, even if they have no ties in the UK.
Anyone with a room or home available can offer it to an individual or family for a minimum of six months.

Sponsored Ukrainians will be granted three years leave to remain in the UK and can work and access public services.

The scheme will also help Ukrainians in the UK on time-limited visas of six months or more, who do not qualify for the family reunion scheme, bring their relatives over.