Supporting displaced people

Homes in Somerset has been working together with Somerset Council to support displaced people through a dedicated scheme for Afghan supporters of British forces.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme specifically focuses on providing a route to safety for Afghan families that helped British people in Afghanistan during the war, including British Nationals and their families, Afghans who loyally served the UK, and others identified as particularly at-risk, such as campaigners for women’s rights, human rights defenders, those awarded a UK government-funded scholarship, journalists, judges, and members of the LGBT community.

Through the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), English councils are expected to provide around 6,900 homes by 2026 for displaced people, including more than 1,500 homes for Afghan families on resettlement schemes. This fund allows councils to address immediate needs and in the longer-term will create a legacy for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing for local communities.

Somerset Council purchased 32 homes through the first round of the LAHF and is purchasing 13 homes during the third round. The council did not participate in the second round. Homes is Somerset is supporting the work by procuring the homes and the fund also allows the council to buy homes to be used as temporary accommodation for local, homeless families.

Shane Smith, Specialist for HiS Development Team, said: “The homes we are buying with government funding will house homeless families in Somerset and also Afghan families at risk, prioritising those who helped the UK efforts in Afghanistan and who stood up for those values which we share. As a bonus, all of the homes purchased will become general needs affordable housing after the first let. Any project which increases the amount of much needed affordable housing is certainly welcome.“