Dorset Council is urging private landlords and owners of second homes to come forward if they can provide suitable accommodation for the Afghan relocation scheme.
The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has prompted a mass evacuation of Afghan citizens and a government relocation scheme has recently been announced to help eligible families remain safe following their service to UK troops and the UK government.
Dorset Council has pledged to support the scheme, which is being funded by the UK government.
Dorset Council will not use accommodation, such as social housing, intended for Dorset families on the housing register or for people who are homeless. The council is seeking offers of additional privately owned, self-contained accommodation to house families under this scheme.
Self-contained family homes needed
The council is looking for a range of homes of varying sizes, particularly larger family homes that are available for at least 12 months.
These need to be self-contained houses or flats. Offers of spare rooms or house-sharing cannot be considered as part of this scheme.
We are particularly keen to find homes in larger towns like Dorchester and Weymouth where there are good transport links and established support networks.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety said:
“Everyone will have seen the heart-breaking and distressing events currently unfolding in Afghanistan and Dorset Council is supporting the government’s scheme to resettle eligible families safely in the UK.
“People are asking how they can help. The single thing we need right now is offers of suitable accommodation, but this needs to be balanced with existing high levels of demand for housing in our area.
“That’s why we are specifically looking for private landlords or owners of second homes to come forward rather than asking social housing providers.
“I am acutely aware of the demand for emergency accommodation for local families on our housing register and in temporary accommodation. I want to reassure people in this situation that they will not be disadvantaged by the work we are doing to help the government resettle Afghan families.”
Tell us if you have a suitable property
If you are a private landlord or own a second home and may be able to help with any of our housing needs, please contact afghanfamilieshousing@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorset Council will work with property owners on all aspects of setting up the tenancy and support the family to settle in when they arrive. There will be central government assistance for initial rent and deposits until the families are settled.
On arrival families will have a caseworker to provide support to settle in the home and local area.
More about the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy
The Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) offers priority relocation to the UK for any current or former locally employed staff who supported British efforts in Afghanistan. Find out more about this scheme.
Is anyone coordinating welcome packs for the Afghan refugees? If so, please can you send me their contact details? If not, would it be okay if I set up getting welcome packs together for them?
Hi Carole,
Thank you for getting in touch and your kind offer of help. A number of local residents have also made contact and our answer for now is the same. The single thing we need is offers of suitable accommodation. Until we have this in place we will not know which families are coming or details of their support requirements. In the meantime we would like to capture your goodwill. You may wish to register with Volunteer Centre Dorset https://www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer – this will mean that we have your details on record and we can call on you in future if the need arises.
Kind regards,
Imogen
My wife and I are deeply moved by the plight of the Afghan refugees, the stories of women and children who have been separated by the Taliban, the wives and husbands who don’t know where their partners are and even if they are safe is just heart breaking. My wife and I are now waiting for the youngest of three adopted brothers to fly the nest after nearly fifteen years of care, love and support, we cannot just stand by and watch this tragedy unfold before our eyes, the fear of what awaits them in Afghanistan should not be experienced by anyone least of all the children and so although we have read the plea for help that is required, we do not have the second home or a self contained annex, but we do have a spare room and love and support to offer and would welcome the opportunity to help, this may not be the offer that you seek, but know that it is genuine and should the need arise, know also that we are here……
Thank you John and Linda for your kind offer. As you recognise, we are currently looking for self contained accommodation rather than offers of spare rooms or house sharing – in line with advice from the Home Office. The aim is to help families stay together as much as possible and become settled for an extended period of time. If this advice changes we will be sure to let people know straight away.
Thanks again,
Imogen
I have started,as of this week collecting toiletries for the Refugees. I have almost reached saturation point with so much offered about 40 carrier bags so far. I’m actually in Wilts but not far from Shaftesbury. It seems wrong to me that with so much being donated there is no coordinated response from Dorset at Wiltshire council? What a waste of so much kindness. Surely it’s is not beyond the realms of capability to set up donation hubs ? Hundreds of donations are just sitting there waiting to be put to use please address this …
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you that is really kind of you but, for now, Dorset Council is focussing on the urgent and immediate need to find housing. Until we have accommodation in place we will not know how many people will actually be relocated here in the county. Realistically, we are only expecting to be able to help a handful of families due to the shortage of housing in Dorset. It would be not be a good use of our resources to set up a hub for things that may not be needed. We do really appreciate you wanting to help though. For now, you may wish to consider approaching local charities that are better placed to confirm what is needed for the people they support and for local people in need. We are working with the following charities who support refugees in Dorset:
https://www.icn.org.uk/
https://citizensadvicedorset.org.uk/
https://www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk/
Kind regards,
Imogen
We are happy to offer temporary accommodation in our home to allow respite from the trauma refugees have suffered – a stepping stone , if you will. We are prepared to offer the care and support required .
Thank you Deborah,
Home Office guidelines state that the accommodation must be self-contained. Offers of house sharing or spare rooms cannot be accepted. If you are able to offer suitable self-contained accommodation please email afghanfamilieshousing@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Thanks
Imogen
We are landlords for Syrian refugees with Dorset. We have found the tenants to be very respectful and we have enjoyed getting to know them. Dorset have been very helpful in the whole process and we would thoroughly recommend landlords to utilise the scheme. It is great to know your property is making such a difference to people’s lives.
Thank you – it’s wonderful to hear this feedback 🙂
Imogen
I have a specific, practical, but also financial query. Knowing that there are all sorts of health & safety regulations applying to properties being let out to tenants, does this mean that any property offered for the use of refugees must adhere to such regulations, and at the expense of the landlord? This could easily run into thousands for a large property when one considers the installation of fire doors and locks on all internal doors.
Hi Diana,
Thanks for getting in touch – properties need to meet housing standards. This means being safe, in reasonable or good condition with utilities in place. If you don’t mind, I’ll forward your query to the relevant officers working on this who will be able to provide you with detailed information as to whether alterations you mention are required.
Best wishes,
Imogen