Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Issue
Matter for Decision
In response to the war in Ukraine the Government launched
its Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme in March 2022. UK households were
invited to host Ukranian refugees for a minimum six-month period or preferably
longer. As at 1 September there were 383 guests spread across 203 households in
Cambridge City.
These arrangements were not permanent and Ukranian
households had initially been offered 3-year visas. The Council is devising a
homelessness prevention plan and the potential allocation of a small number of
properties formed part of this plan.
Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing
i.
Approved the allocation of up to 20 Council
properties to Ukrainian refugees to support the Council’s homelessness
prevention plans and avert the need for temporary accommodation.
ii.
Allowed these allocations to be made outside of
the Council’s Lettings Policy.
iii.
Delegated authority to the Head of Housing, in
consultation with the Executive Councillor and Opposition Spokespersons, to
extend this scheme beyond 20 units, in the event that there is excessive
pressure on temporary accommodation.
Reason for the Decision
As set out in the Officer’s report.
Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Scrutiny Considerations
The Committee received a report from the Head of Housing.
The Head of Housing said the following in response to
Members’ questions:
i.
If the decision was approved at Committee, then
further discussions would take place between the Council and Housing
Associations.
ii.
The City Council had Ukrainian speakers within
the workforce and external translators were also used to assist Ukrainian
refugees. Officers also hoped to
introduce English language support for Ukrainian refugees in the future.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the
recommendations.
The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor
(and any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.